Rwanda has launched Africa’s first mpox vaccination campaign, signaling a big step forward in the continent’s fight against the illness.
As of Tuesday, the nation had given 300 doses of the vaccine to high-risk persons in a border region with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), confirmed the launch of the campaign, emphasizing the need of containing the outbreak.
She emphasized the urgent need for a swift halt to the outbreak and also stated the importance of local vaccine production in Africa.
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“This outbreak must be stopped very quickly. We are working closely with our manufacturers and partners to ensure these vaccines are produced in Africa.” Kaseya said.
The Rwandan Ministry of Health has targeted high-risk populations in the initial vaccination rollout of the African mpox outbreak, with the DRC reporting 2,912 new cases and 14 deaths in the past week.
Beginning in early October, the DRC is anticipated to start immunizing its citizens; 165,000 pills have already been supplied, and more supplies have been promised by European countries.
Written by Cheta Enyoghasi
