DRC to Receive 100,000 Mpox Vaccine Doses Thursday

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to receive its first batch of mpox vaccines, with an initial 100,000 doses arriving on Thursday and more expected shortly after. This comes as the country faces a severe outbreak, having reported over 17,500 cases and 629 deaths since the start of the year. The vaccines, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic and donated by the European Union and the U.S. government, mark a crucial step in addressing the public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). The EU and U.S. plan to donate a total of 566,500 doses to affected African countries. Meanwhile, the Africa CDC and UNICEF are coordinating the vaccination efforts, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable populations, including children. Despite these efforts, logistical challenges and underreporting continue to hinder effective containment of the disease.