Mpox vaccination to begin in Africa soon amid a surge in cases

Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can kill.

Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected African countries would likely get the first doses of an mpox vaccine within a week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has said.

The initiative follows the World Health Organization's recent declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, as a new variant of the disease, clade Ib, spreads rapidly in Africa, a Reuters report said.

Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can kill. Two strains are spreading in Congo — the endemic clade I and the new clade Ib.

Africa CDC has said vaccine distribution would commence shortly. "We haven't started vaccinations yet, but we plan to begin in a few days, provided that everything is in place. By the end of next week, vaccines are expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and other affected countries," Africa CDC director general Jean Kaseya was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The vaccination drive involves extensive coordination with international partners, including the European Union, vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, the United States, and Japan. The goal is to ensure that vaccines are stored and administered safely and effectively.

"We need to make sure that the supply chain management and logistics are prepared to ensure that this vaccine will be safely administered to those who need it," Kaseya said.

This effort comes in response to a sharp increase in mpox cases, with recent reports indicating a 100 percent rise in infections compared to the same period last year.

Over 1,400 new cases were reported last week, bringing the total infections in 12 affected African countries to around 19,000.

In addition to vaccines, studies on the efficacy of various vaccine candidates will continue to determine which is the most suitable for a specific area, outbreak or strain.

The Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune is also working on a vaccine. CEO Adar Poonawalla said on August 20 he expects “positive news” on an indigenous mpox vaccine within a year.

India is on an alert for the infectious disease, cases of which have been reported from Sweden, the Philippines and neighbouring Pakistan as well.