The Mpox vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), appears to be a great success in some provinces of the country. Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO Representative in the DRC, announced that several provinces had reached vaccination rates exceeding 90%, with vaccination records reaching 100% in regions such as Sankuru, Sud-Ubangi and Tshopo.
This first phase of the vaccination campaign is targeting three specific groups as a priority: healthcare workers, sex workers and contacts of contacts. This targeted and proactive approach aims to increase herd immunity against Mpox, a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease.
Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo stressed the importance of continuing vaccination with a second dose, which is necessary to ensure optimal immunological protection. This second phase of the campaign represents a crucial issue to ensure maximum vaccination coverage and reduce the risks of spreading the virus.
Despite these encouraging results, WHO faces major logistical challenges, particularly due to the lack of basic infrastructure and access routes in some remote provinces. This situation underlines the critical importance of investing in health infrastructure and strengthening logistical capacities to ensure the success of vaccination campaigns nationwide.
As the DRC awaits the arrival of 3 million additional doses of vaccines by the end of the year, it is essential to maintain the mobilization and commitment of local authorities, international partners and the population to ensure the continued success of the Mpox vaccination campaign.
In conclusion, the success of the Mpox vaccination campaign in the DRC is a testament to the effectiveness of the concerted efforts of public health actors in the fight against infectious diseases. However, it remains essential to continue and intensify these efforts to achieve optimal vaccination coverage and protect the population against emerging health threats.