DRC to receive 200,000 Mpox vaccine doses from Gavi amid record outbreak
These doses will primarily target the worst-affected areas, particularly focusing on at-risk populations affected by regional displacements due to security challenges.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will receive a significant shipment of 200,000 mpox vaccine doses from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, this week, marking its largest contribution yet to combat the ongoing mpox outbreak in the country.
Mpox, classified as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), has ravaged the DRC, recording over 20,000 cases and 49 fatalities as of mid-April 2025.
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Responding to this crisis, DRC has already administered more than half a million vaccine doses since October 2024, including over 950,000 doses received from various sources, including the latest batch from Gavi.
Minister of Health, Dr Samuel Roger Kamba, highlighted the significance of this delivery.
"Beyond its strong symbolism, this delivery demonstrates the constant mobilisation of all actors involved in protecting the most vulnerable communities and preserving global health,” he said.
In response to the epidemic, these doses will primarily target the worst-affected areas, particularly focusing on at-risk populations affected by regional displacements due to security challenges.
The mpox outbreak, exacerbated by the emergence of Clade Ib, prompted global responses from organisations like Gavi, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Together, they have facilitated the distribution of over 647,000 vaccine doses across severely affected African countries.
Gavi's swift action, including the establishment of a First Response Fund post-Covid-19 pandemic, underscores its pivotal role in pandemic preparedness.
Dr Derrick Sim, Managing Director of Vaccine Markets and Health Security at Gavi, stressed the importance of proactive measures.
"Emerging threats like mpox Clade Ib should serve as a warning to us all."
He called for sustained investment in prevention and early response strategies to mitigate the impact of infectious diseases globally.
Looking ahead, Gavi aims to establish a global stockpile of mpox vaccines by 2030, aligning with its successful management of cholera, Ebola, meningitis, and yellow fever vaccine stockpiles.
However, achieving this goal hinges on securing at least US$ 9 billion (Sh1.1 trillion) in funding during its upcoming strategic period.
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