Urgent Need for Mpox Vaccines in Africa
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) grapples with a severe outbreak of monkeypox (mpox), the African CDC has announced that vaccines are expected to arrive within days. The Director General, Jean Kaseya, emphasized the critical need for vaccines, stating that Africa requires 50 times more doses than currently available to combat this escalating health crisis. With nearly 19,000 cases reported since the beginning of 2024 and a staggering increase of over 100% from last year, the call for action is urgent.
Global Support and Supply Chain Challenges
The DRC's Health Minister has confirmed that support is coming from the European Union, Japan, and the United States to bolster vaccine supplies. However, the logistical challenges of ensuring safe storage and administration of the vaccines remain a significant concern. Kaseya highlighted that without proper supply chain management, the effort to vaccinate populations effectively could falter.
Appeals for Vaccine Distribution
In a parallel effort, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has urged countries with surplus vaccines to distribute them to African nations urgently. The organization stresses that vaccines must reach their destinations within two weeks to effectively control the outbreak. With the DRC being the epicenter of this health emergency, MSF estimates that at least 3 million doses are needed to interrupt the transmission chain. The appeal extends to manufacturers as well, urging them to lower vaccine prices to facilitate procurement for African countries.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency last week, highlighting the severity of the outbreak in Africa. The DRC has recorded over **479 deaths** linked to mpox this year alone, with the majority occurring in this region. MSF's call for action underscores the urgency of providing medical countermeasures and strengthening community participation to combat the virus effectively. The need for vaccines is compounded by the high cost, estimated at around **$100 per dose**, making it unaffordable for many African nations.
