Mpox in the DRC: The capital Kinshasa in shortage of vaccines
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the current epicenter of the MPOX epidemic, has begun a vaccination campaign in Kinshasa, its capital, in the face of the worsening health crisis. However, health authorities deplore a serious shortage of doses to effectively cover at-risk populations.
A constantly increasing epidemic situation
Since the beginning of the year, the DRC has recorded more than 42,000 cases of mpox and more than 1,000 deaths . Although the rate of spread of the virus has slowed recently, particularly among children, the number of cases continues to increase, according to the Africa CDC, the health agency of the African Union. The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Samuel Roger Kamba Mulamba, detailed that diagnostic tests are increasing, although resources remain limited to meet the growing demand.
Insufficient doses for Kinshasa
The vaccination campaign launched in October in the east of the country has gradually spread to Kinshasa, starting in sensitive areas such as the Ndolo military prison, where several cases have been reported. However, the capital, with a population of 17 million, is seriously short of vaccines. Of the 110,000 doses needed , only 50,000 are available to date, according to Cris Kacita, head of the MPOX control program.
Dependence on international donations
The DRC relies heavily on donations for its vaccination campaigns. In September, it received 265,000 doses from the European Union and the United States, with more expected. However, the vaccine currently being rolled out, produced by Bavarian Nordic, is for adults only, although nearly 40% of infections are in children under 15. Discussions are underway to obtain another vaccine approved in Japan, for adults and children, but the delivery date remains uncertain.
Conclusion: A major health challenge for the DRC
The health situation in the DRC in the face of the MPOX epidemic remains worrying, particularly in Kinshasa, where the shortage of vaccines is compromising efforts to control the epidemic. The DRC, already facing major economic difficulties, depends on international aid to stem this health crisis. The country must continue to intensify its efforts to effectively vaccinate the population and limit the spread of the virus, particularly among young children, who represent a significant proportion of infections.
