Rwanda Takes Action Against Mpox

Nairobi, Kenya – In a crucial step to combat mpox amid rising cases and fatalities, Rwanda has initiated a vaccination campaign utilizing 1,000 doses of vaccine received from Nigeria. This agreement, part of a collaborative effort between the two nations, aims to protect high-risk populations across seven districts closely bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The announcement was made by Dr. Nicaise Ndembi from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

International Support for Vaccination

The vaccine doses were part of a larger allotment, as Nigeria received 10,000 doses from the United States, signaling international assistance in vaccine distribution amid an escalating health crisis. Notably, the DRC, currently the epicenter of the outbreak, has reported a staggering 2,912 new mpox infections and 14 related deaths in just one week. The total figures for the year have reached 6,105 cases and 738 deaths.

Urgent Calls for More Doses

Dr. Jean Kaseya, the director-general of the Africa CDC, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This outbreak must be stopped very quickly.” As the crisis deepens, Rwanda and other nations like the DRC are urgently requesting more vaccine doses than initially anticipated. According to African health experts, the continent may require up to 10 million vaccine doses to effectively curb the ongoing mpox outbreaks.

Japanese Government Steps In

In response to the dire need for vaccines in Africa, the Japanese government has taken action by signing an agreement to provide 3 million doses of the mpox vaccine to the DRC. Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on more countries to contribute to the global response against mpox, emphasizing the necessity for international collaboration and support to avert further spread of the virus. He shared this message on the social media platform X, highlighting the urgent need for collective action.

The DRC's Vaccination Campaign

As part of the vaccination strategy, the DRC is set to commence its own vaccination campaign in the first week of October, following the delivery of 165,000 doses, with additional quantities pledged by European nations.

Need for Local Vaccine Production

Furthermore, Kaseya stressed the importance of local vaccine production, stating that there is a pressing need for mpox vaccines to be manufactured in Africa itself. Collaborative efforts are underway to partner with manufacturers across the continent to establish the necessary infrastructure.

WHO's First Authorization for Mpox Vaccine

In a significant development for global health efforts, the WHO recently granted its first authorization for an mpox vaccine designated for adult use, describing this as a pivotal step in the fight against the disease in Africa. The vaccine, produced by Bavarian Nordic A/S, will be available for purchase by organizations such as Gavi and UNICEF. However, supply remains limited, as there is currently only a single manufacturer.

The Future of Mpox Vaccination in Africa

As the situation evolves, the eyes of the world remain focused on Africa, grappling with the plight of mpox while pushing for sustainable solutions that could drastically change the course of healthcare on the continent. Will Africa succeed in curbing the outbreak and forge its path towards self-reliance in vaccine production?