The Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, urgently requires more mpox vaccines to shield its high-risk population, according to Cris Kacita, head of the national mpox response. With vaccinations initiated last week at Ndolo Prison, the city currently holds just 50,000 doses, far below the 110,000 needed to cover its 17 million residents.
Prison inmates considered highly vulnerable due to recent in-prison cases, are first in line to receive the vaccine. Plans are in place to expand vaccination efforts to other high-risk groups, such as sex workers. The DRC Ministry of Health announced on social media that Kinshasa’s mpox campaign is progressing, with the city recording 123 active cases as of Tuesday.
The mpox outbreak, primarily concentrated in the DRC’s eastern regions, has resulted in over 42,000 reported cases and more than 1,000 fatalities this year alone. Although the spread has slowed in recent weeks, case numbers continue to climb, according to the African Union’s health agency. The DRC has received 265,000 doses from international sources, including the United States and the European Union, but millions more are awaited, particularly from France and the U.S.
The mpox vaccine, produced by Bavarian Nordic, is currently approved for adult use only. Still, the DRC is exploring additional options from Japan to extend protection to adults and children.
