Rwanda has made a significant stride in tackling the mpox virus by launching Africa’s first vaccination campaign against the disease.
As of Tuesday, 300 vaccine doses have been administered to high-risk individuals in a border region near the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control, underscored the importance of swift action to control the outbreak. “This outbreak must be stopped very quickly,” he stated, stressing the need for local vaccine production in Africa. Kaseya added that efforts are underway in collaboration with manufacturers and partners to produce vaccines on the continent.
The vaccination rollout is initially targeting frontline health workers, cross-border traders, hospitality workers, and other vulnerable populations.
The DRC remains the epicenter of Africa’s mpox outbreak, reporting 2,912 new cases and 14 deaths in the past week, bringing the total to 6,105 cases and 738 deaths since January.
The DRC plans to begin its vaccination campaign in early October, having already received 165,000 doses, with further supplies pledged by European nations.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, called for greater global cooperation to contain the virus. “International collaboration and support are needed,” he emphasized.
Other African countries are also ramping up containment efforts.
In August, the United States, through USAID, donated 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria, further bolstering the continent’s fight against the outbreak.
