Introduction

NAIROBI, Kenya -- In a crucial move to combat the rising mpox outbreak, Rwanda has launched a vaccination campaign using 1,000 doses obtained from Nigeria. This initiative comes under a partnership agreement between the two nations, as highlighted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Vaccination Drive Details

The vaccination drive commenced on Tuesday, focusing on seven districts identified as having 'high-risk populations' adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr. Nicaise Ndembi of the Africa CDC reported that Nigeria generously donated these 1,000 doses out of a larger allocation of 10,000 doses it received from the United States.

Current Situation in Congo

Currently, Congo is grappling with a devastating outbreak, recording 2,912 new mpox cases and 14 fatalities within the last week alone. To date, there have been a staggering total of 6,105 reported cases and 738 deaths this year. 'This outbreak must be stopped very quickly,' urged Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC, emphasizing the urgency for action.

Demand for More Doses

The need for additional vaccine doses is increasing, with Rwanda and other countries calling for more than their initial requests. Experts estimate that Africa may need approximately 10 million vaccines to effectively thwart ongoing outbreaks. Responding to this pressing need, the Japanese government has struck a deal with the Congolese government to supply 3 million doses of the mpox vaccine.

International Support

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also joined the call for international support, urging more nations to step up their contributions. 'International collaboration and support are needed to stop the spread of the virus,' he stated on social media.

Congo's Vaccination Campaign

Congo is preparing to kick off its vaccination campaign in the first week of October. So far, 165,000 doses have been delivered to the DRC, with promises of additional supplies from various European nations. Kaseya also highlighted the dire necessity for Africa to begin manufacturing its own vaccines, stating ongoing efforts to collaborate with local manufacturers to achieve this goal.

WHO Authorization

In a significant development for combatting mpox in Africa, the WHO recently granted its first authorization for a vaccine aimed at adults, produced by Bavarian Nordic A/S. This approval facilitates organizations such as the vaccine alliance Gavi and UNICEF to procure and distribute the vaccine. However, supplies remain critically limited, as there is currently only one manufacturer producing the vaccine.

Conclusion

As the global community rallies to address the escalating mpox crisis, the call for increased vaccine production and equitable distribution has never been more urgent.