Congo battles mpox: vaccination programme rolls out
Vaccination Efforts
The programme, which
began on October 5, aims to mitigate the spread of Mpox and protect the most
at-risk populations. DRC Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba stated that the
vaccination campaign was being launched in Goma, North Kivu province, due to
the region's war-torn status and high mpox cases. The country received its
first consignment of 99,100 vaccine doses on September 5, followed by an
additional 100,900 doses the same week, totaling 265,000 doses, so far.
The vaccination programme will initially target health workers, frontline responders, contacts of confirmed cases, their secondary contacts, and other vulnerable at-risk groups.
The programme will
subsequently be rolled out in 11 of the most affected health zones in Equateur,
North Kivu, Sankuru, South Kivu, Sud-Ubangi, and Tshopo provinces.
Global Support
The WHO is working
with partners, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF, to establish a
distribution mechanism for donated vaccine doses and direct procurements from
manufacturers. Additionally, the WHO announced the enlistment of the first mpox
diagnostic test for emergency use, boosting global access.
--IV Desk
Related: https://indusvitals.blogspot.com/2024/09/mpox-threat-experts-call-for-knowledge.html
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