The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to receive its first batch of 100,000 mpox vaccines from the European Union (EU) on Thursday, with a second delivery expected soon after. This marks a critical step in addressing the ongoing mpox outbreak in Congo, which has been hit hard by a shortage of vaccines.
Why It’s Important
The delivery is a significant milestone in curbing the mpox outbreak in Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the outbreak a global public health emergency, highlighting the urgency for vaccine distribution. Congo has been at the center of this outbreak, and the arrival of these vaccines could help prevent further spread.
Context
The vaccines, manufactured by Bavarian Nordic, are part of the EU’s commitment to aid African countries in tackling the health crisis. A severe shortage of vaccines had previously hampered containment efforts in Congo and other affected regions.
By the Numbers
The EU has pledged to share 215,000 vaccine doses with affected African nations. In addition, at least eight EU member states will donate a further 351,500 doses, bringing the total to over 566,500 doses.
What’s Next
Beyond vaccine distribution, the EU will support affected countries by strengthening health systems, securing pharmaceutical supply chains, and developing local vaccine manufacturing capabilities. A €9.4 million grant is also planned to improve access to diagnostics and sequencing by early autumn.
