Congo is the epicenter of an mpox outbreak that the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency last month.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is scheduled to receive its first shipment of mpox vaccine doses on Thursday, with a second delivery expected on Saturday, according to Cris Kacita, the head of the country's mpox outbreak response. The details of the number of doses and the provider were not disclosed in his WhatsApp message to Reuters.

Congo is at the center of an mpox outbreak that the World Health Organization (WHO) designated as a global public health emergency last month. Efforts to control the outbreak have been hindered by a shortage of vaccines. The arrival of these vaccine doses is anticipated to help address a significant disparity that has left African nations without access to the vaccines used during the 2022 global mpox outbreak, despite their availability in Europe and the United States.

The United States and the European Union have pledged tens of thousands of doses of a vaccine produced by Bavarian Nordic, with delivery expected soon. Kacita stated that Congo aims to commence its first vaccination campaign on October 8, contingent upon receiving the vaccines this week. However, launching the campaign poses challenges due to the country's vast size and the necessity of storing the doses at -90 degrees Celsius (-130°F). Additionally, there is a need for effective communication to gain public acceptance of the vaccination.

Kacita explained that the vaccine would not be distributed immediately upon arrival. The preparation time of approximately one month is needed to ensure proper communication with the public and to ensure that the targeted provinces have the necessary storage capabilities for the doses.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO’s acting director of epidemic and pandemic prevention, highlighted that addressing communication around vaccine distribution is crucial as the agency supports Congo’s response. She noted that misinformation about the vaccines is widespread, and the initial vaccination efforts will focus on contacts of known cases due to limited vaccine supplies. Although children are at high risk for mpox, Bavarian Nordic's vaccine is not licensed for them. However, Van Kerkhove mentioned that the WHO recommends its use in outbreaks for children when the benefits outweigh the risks, and this recommendation is currently under review in Congo.

Mpox typically manifests with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions and can be fatal. As of August 31, Congo's health ministry reported 19,710 suspected cases of mpox since the beginning of the year, with 5,041 confirmed cases and 655 fatalities. The disease spreads through close contact, including sexual contact.

A doctor involved in the response, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern about the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign, emphasizing the need to vaccinate individuals near confirmed cases. Many remote areas, however, lack the necessary resources, such as laboratories with water and electricity. This limitation impacts the ability to confirm suspected cases and weakens current surveillance efforts.

Van Kerkhove also noted that some areas in Congo have exhausted their testing supplies and called for additional resources to support the response in both Congo and neighboring Burundi, which has recently experienced an increase in cases of the new clade Ib strain of mpox. While vaccines are a critical component of the response, she stressed that measures such as contact tracing and public awareness are also essential.

On Wednesday, Congo’s health minister Roger Kamba emphasized the importance of handwashing and disinfecting school furniture to prevent the spread of mpox, particularly as children return to school.