Story: :: Health workers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
mpox vaccinations increase as national vaccination campaign expands
:: Libro, Democratic Republic of the Congo
:: October 7, 2024
:: Christian Imani Banyanga, Liwilo Mpox Treatment Center, Nurse
“I don’t know how to describe it. I mean, it’s a feeling of satisfaction. I used to be afraid of this disease, but today I know I’ve been vaccinated, so I can go to work with peace of mind. Ta.”
:: The limited rollout began on Saturday, with many users
People at risk still waiting for shots
The plan has been rescheduled multiple times, but only 10 Ministry of Health workers were vaccinated when the campaign officially launched on Saturday (October 5).
Healthcare workers are being prioritized for vaccination because they are at high risk of infection, but it remains unclear when vaccinations for the general public will begin.
Local health officials have cited a lack of public awareness and concerns about vaccine acceptance as reasons for the slow expansion of the program to non-medical workers.
More than 30,000 suspected and confirmed cases of mpox have been reported in Congo since January, accounting for 90% of Africa’s cases this year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
With 265,000 doses of vaccine available and more expected to arrive, health authorities aim to curb the spread of the virus, and the WHO announced an international declared a public health emergency of concern.