Congo Fights Mpox: Vaccines Arrive, But Are They Enough?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is finally rolling out vaccines against mpox. This comes after a tough few months where hospitals were overwhelmed and health workers struggled to handle the outbreak. The European Union and the United States have sent over 265,000 doses to help. The eastern city of Goma in North Kivu province was one of the first places to start vaccinating people. This area has been hit hard by the mpox virus, with many hospitals and health workers stretched thin. The DRC has seen a lot of cases and deaths—about 30,000 suspected cases and 859 deaths. That’s more than 80% of all African cases this year!But here’s the thing: most of the mpox infections and deaths are happening to children under 15. The problem is that the doses being given out now can only be used by adults. These vaccines will go to at-risk populations and frontline workers first, as stated by the health minister, Roger Kamba. The DRC’s health team says they have plans in place to make sure all targeted people get vaccinated. That includes getting ready for 3 million doses suitable for children, which are expected from Japan soon.