African nations are on the brink of initiating Mpox vaccinations within days, according to the Africa CDC. This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) downplays fears of a new pandemic, clarifying that the spread of a more severe strain of the virus is manageable and not comparable to Covid-19.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the current outbreak, has been hit hard by the deadlier clade Ib strain, which has also been detected in at least four other African countries. Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya indicated that vaccinations are expected to commence by the end of next week, pending final preparations. He noted that vaccines would soon arrive in the DRC and other affected nations.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials. Symptoms include fever, rash, headache, and swollen lymph nodes. Since the beginning of the year, Africa has reported nearly 19,000 cases and over 500 deaths, marking a significant increase from last year.
The urgent need for vaccines has led to a scramble for doses, with a shortfall of about 9.8 million doses. The European Union and Danish vaccine maker Bavarian Nordic have pledged support, with additional contributions from Japan and the United States.
Despite the alarm, WHO Europe Director Hans Kluge reassured that mpox does not pose a global threat akin to Covid-19. He emphasised that controlling the outbreak is achievable with a coordinated international effort. Meanwhile, cases have also been reported in travellers from Africa to the Philippines, Thailand, and Argentina.
Mpox outbreak: vaccines set to arrive as WHO downplays pandemic fears
