The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced a delay in receiving its first shipment of mpox vaccines this week.
The postponement comes as the country grapples with a new variant of the virus that has spread beyond its borders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency on August 14th, marking the second such declaration in two years.
Congo, in particular, has been hard hit by the outbreak, with over 27,000 suspected cases and 1,100 deaths reported since January 2023.
Despite promises of vaccine support from the United States and Japan, Congo’s response team head, Cris Kacita, confirmed that the initial delivery has been pushed back.
He explained that several regulatory processes need to be completed before the vaccines can be administered.
The Congolese pharmaceutical regulatory agency must first obtain guidance from the Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic.
Bavarian Nordic, one of the few companies producing mpox vaccines, has indicated that it can supply up to 2 million doses this year.
However, the vaccine’s arrival in Congo is crucial to address the significant inequity in vaccine access between African countries and those in Europe and the United States.
The delayed vaccine delivery adds to the challenges faced by Congo in combating the mpox outbreak.
As the new variant continues to spread, timely access to vaccines is essential for mitigating the impact of the disease and protecting vulnerable populations.