The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive its first shipment of mpox vaccine doses on September 5, with a follow-up delivery expected on September 7. This announcement was made by the country’s head of mpox outbreak response on Wednesday.
The DR Congo is currently at the epicenter of a severe mpox outbreak, which the World Health Organization recently categorized as a global public health emergency. The outbreak has significantly strained the country’s healthcare system, largely due to a critical shortage of vaccines that has impeded efforts to manage and control the spread of the disease.
Cris Kacita, the response chief, highlighted that the arrival of these vaccine doses is a crucial step in combating the outbreak. The first batch of vaccines is anticipated to arrive on September 5, providing much-needed relief, while the second shipment will follow shortly on September 7. These deliveries are expected to enhance the country’s response efforts and support the ongoing battle against the mpox outbreak.