Why Mpox Vaccination is Crucial Now: Africa Prepares for Rollout Amid Rising Cases

As the Mpox outbreak continues to escalate in Africa, the urgency for widespread vaccination has never been more critical. Over the past week alone, more than 1,400 new Mpox cases have been detected in Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak.

The rapid spread of the virus poses a significant threat to the rest of the continent if immediate containment measures aren’t taken.

The good news is that help is on the way. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is working closely with countries experiencing outbreaks to ensure the smooth distribution of vaccine doses. These doses, pledged by the European Union, Bavarian Nordic, the United States, and Japan, are expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other affected nations by the end of next week.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared Mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to the rapid spread of a new variant across Africa. The need for vaccination is not just a matter of prevention; it’s a race against time to prevent the virus from wreaking further havoc.

Africa CDC Director General, Jean Kaseya, emphasized the importance of starting vaccinations soon. He mentioned that while the continent is gearing up for the rollout, studies on the efficacy of different vaccines will continue, allowing countries to determine which vaccines are most effective in their specific contexts.

Since the beginning of 2024, the number of Mpox cases in the 12 African countries where the virus has been detected has surged to nearly 19,000, marking a 100% increase compared to the same period last year. The outbreak shows no signs of slowing down, and the stakes are high.

“We need to make sure that the supply chain management, the logistics are ready…to ensure that this vaccine will be safely stored and can be safely administered to people who need them.”

Mpox, though usually mild, can be deadly. It causes painful pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, and with multiple strains spreading simultaneously across Africa, the situation is increasingly complex.

The arrival of vaccines offers a glimmer of hope, but the battle is far from over. It’s a reminder of the importance of swift and coordinated public health responses in the face of emerging threats.