In a much-awaited development, Congo has received its first batch of mpox vaccine, as the country battles the ongoing mpox outbreaks. The arrival of the 100,000 doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine, manufactured by Danish company Bavarian Nordic, was announced by the Congolese authorities on Thursday. This donation was made possible through the European Union and its agency for health emergencies, HERA. Another 100,000 doses are expected to be delivered on Saturday.

UNICEF has been entrusted with spearheading the vaccination campaign in the most affected provinces of Congo, according to the country's Health Minister, Roger Kamba. However, the exact commencement date of the vaccination drive remains uncertain.

While this initial shipment is a step forward, it falls short of the 3 million doses that authorities have deemed necessary to effectively combat the mpox outbreaks in Congo, which has been declared the epicenter of the global health emergency. Western partners, including the European Union and the United States, have pledged around 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines. These promised doses account for less than 15% of the required number.

Congo has reported over 4,900 confirmed mpox cases since the start of 2024, with more than 629 associated deaths, signifying a significant rise in both infections and fatalities compared to previous years. Disturbingly, the majority of mpox infections in Congo affect children under the age of 15.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasized the critical role that these vaccines play in protecting health workers and vulnerable populations, as well as controlling the spread of mpox.

The distribution of mpox vaccines to Africa has been a cause for concern, as wealthier nations swiftly responded to the global mpox outbreak in 2022 by utilizing their stockpiles. Unfortunately, only a limited number of doses have reached the African continent despite pleas from its governments.

The MVA-BN vaccine, which has already been administered in Europe and the United States, is authorized for use in adults. However, the European Medicines Agency is currently reviewing additional data to expand its authorization for children aged 12 to 17.

Laurent Muschel, the Director-General of HERA, revealed that a total of 215,000 doses specifically earmarked for Congo have been purchased and pledged for an undisclosed amount. While welcomed, some experts, such as Mercy Muthee Laker, the Congo representative for the Red Cross and Red Crescent aid organization, noted that the promised doses fell short when compared to the pressing need on the ground.

Given the financial and logistical challenges presented by the vast Congolese territory and its limited healthcare infrastructure, it is expected to take weeks before any vaccines can be administered to those in need.

In a positive development, the United States announced a donation of 10,000 doses of mpox vaccine to Nigeria, where the disease has been prevalent. This marks the first known donation to Africa during the current outbreaks. Nigeria has reported 40 cases of the virus this year, according to Nigeria's CDC.

Dr. Dimie Ogoina, the chair of WHO's mpox emergency committee, highlighted the difference between the current African outbreaks and the 2022 global outbreak primarily affecting gay and bisexual men. In Africa, mpox is now being transmitted through sexual contact, as well as close interactions among children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups. Additionally, the majority of Africa's younger population, who are mostly susceptible, have not been vaccinated against smallpox, which may offer some protection against mpox.

The Africa CDC is actively working on a unified response plan for the mpox outbreaks, which is set to be presented to African heads of state for consideration at a meeting in September. The successful implementation of widespread vaccination campaigns remains crucial in stemming the tide of mpox infections in Congo and across the African continent.