Rwanda has become the first African nation to administer mpox vaccines, with several hundred high-risk individuals receiving shots, according to the Africa CDC.
The initial batch of 300 doses was distributed on Tuesday in a region near the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border. The DRC has faced the highest burden of mpox, reporting nearly 22,000 cases and over 700 deaths from January to August.
Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, announced that vaccination efforts will extend to the DRC in early October. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads from infected animals to humans and can also be transmitted between people through close contact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently prequalified the MVA-BN mpox vaccine, enabling international agencies to procure it. The Africa CDC reports 29,152 cases and 738 deaths across 15 African countries.
Testing remains a challenge, with only half of suspected cases undergoing tests. The WHO highlighted multiple ongoing outbreaks, particularly in Burundi and the DRC.
The MVA-BN vaccine, effective in 76% to 82% of cases, is approved for use in adults but may be administered off-label to children and pregnant women in outbreak settings.
