Congo Launches Second Phase of Vaccination Campaign

In a crucial step towards combating the mpox outbreak, the Republic of Congo has officially launched the second phase of its vaccination campaign. This announcement marks a significant escalation in efforts against the disease, following the initial phase that commenced on October 5.

Progress in the First Phase

During the first phase, Congo focused on inoculating health workers in the regions most severely affected by the outbreak. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an impressive 40,574 individuals have been vaccinated out of a targeted 45,957, yielding a remarkable coverage rate of 88.3%.

Broadened Scope of Vaccination

The newly initiated phase deliberately broadens the scope of vaccination to include high-risk groups, such as sex workers and individuals who have been in contact with confirmed cases. Aubin Mongili, a vaccination coordinator in North Kivu province, emphasized the importance of community engagement: “Today, we wanted to integrate community engagement into vaccination. As you know, there is sexual transmission (for mpox). That is why we are targeting this category of people to limit the spread within the community.”

Urgent Need for Vaccines

Roger Kamba, the Minister of Health in Congo, underscored the urgency of the situation, revealing that in order to adequately protect the population, the country requires approximately three million doses of the vaccine to reach 2.5 million people.

Concerning Statistics

A startling report by the Congolese Health Ministry disclosed that since the beginning of 2024, there have been 35,925 suspected cases of mpox. Out of these, 7,534 have been confirmed, while the outbreak has tragically resulted in 1,006 deaths.

What is Mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, widely recognized for its severe symptoms, which include fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, skin rashes, and debilitating back pain. The ongoing outbreak has prompted significant concern, leading the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to declare it a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security in mid-August. Shortly thereafter, the World Health Organization also identified mpox as a public health emergency of international concern, activating its highest alert level for the second time in two years.

Conclusion

With the new phase of vaccination underway, Congo is taking determined action to protect vulnerable populations and curtail the spread of this alarming disease, underscoring the nation's commitment to public health in the face of an escalating crisis.