CurrentReport Blog Rwanda has made history by launching Africa’s first mpox vaccination campaign, marking a crucial step in the fight against the disease on the continent. As of Tuesday, 300 vaccine doses were administered to high-risk individuals in a border region with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), emphasized the urgency of addressing the outbreak. “This outbreak must be stopped very quickly,” Kaseya said, adding that efforts are underway to ensure local vaccine production. “We are working closely with our manufacturers and partners to ensure these vaccines are produced in Africa.”
The initial phase of Rwanda’s vaccination campaign is targeting health workers, cross-border business operators, hospitality staff, and other high-risk populations. This targeted approach aims to curb the spread of mpox, particularly in regions close to the DRC, which remains the epicenter of the outbreak.
The DRC reported 2,912 new cases and 14 deaths in the past week, bringing the total number of cases to 6,105 and the death toll to 738 since January. The country is set to launch its own vaccination campaign in early October, with 165,000 doses already delivered and additional supplies promised by European countries.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), called for international cooperation to combat the spread of the virus. “International collaboration and support are needed to stop the spread of the virus,” Ghebreyesus stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Other African nations are also receiving support to fight the outbreak. In August, the United States, through USAID, provided 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria, further strengthening the continent’s efforts to control the virus.
