A shortage of mpox vaccines has delayed the launch of a vaccination campaign in the capital, Kinshasa, as the outbreak continues to spread across the country, particularly among children.
Despite a rising number of cases, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has struggled to initiate its vaccination efforts due to insufficient vaccine supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency in mid-August after the virus spread from DRC to neighboring nations. However, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, promises of vaccine donations have not yet translated into substantial deliveries.
Cris Kacita, the head of operations for the DRC’s mpox response program, confirmed that the country has 53,921 vaccine doses remaining for use in high-risk areas such as prisons, but over 162,000 doses are required to begin vaccination efforts in Kinshasa, a city with nearly 20 million residents. While Kinshasa has experienced fewer cases compared to other regions, ongoing vaccination campaigns are being carried out in six provinces across the country.
France has pledged 100,000 doses, with additional shipments from Germany and the African Union, though there is no confirmation on when these will arrive. Kacita noted that delays are also caused by the time-consuming administrative processes involved, such as vaccine requests, manufacturing, and securing import authorizations.
From October 28 to November 2, DRC reported 1,017 new suspected cases, including 45 confirmed cases and 16 deaths. Health experts, including the aid organization Save the Children, have raised alarms over the impact of the outbreak on children, who are nearly four times more likely to die from the new strain of mpox compared to adults. The organization’s latest data shows that the number of suspected cases among children has surged by over 130%, from 11,300 in mid-August to 25,600 by November 3.
Save the Children’s Katia Vieira de Moraes LaCasse emphasized the increased vulnerability of children, who often interact with their environment in ways that make them more susceptible to infection. “Children have weaker immune systems and less understanding of health precautions, which makes them especially prone to severe outcomes from mpox,” she said.
As the vaccine shortage persists, DRC faces mounting challenges in controlling the outbreak and preventing further spread, particularly in high-risk communities.
