Congo Prepares for First Mpox Vaccine Deliveries Amid Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive its first doses of the mpox vaccine on Thursday, with a second delivery arriving on Saturday. This comes as the country grapples with an mpox outbreak declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization last month.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is poised to receive its inaugural shipment of mpox vaccine doses on Thursday, with a subsequent delivery scheduled for Saturday, according to Cris Kacita, head of the country's mpox outbreak response.

The country, declared the epicenter of an mpox outbreak by the World Health Organization last month, has faced challenges in controlling the disease's spread due to vaccine shortages. 'We'll receive the first batch on Sept. 5 and a second one on Sept. 7,' Kacita conveyed in a message to Reuters.

Efforts to mitigate the outbreak have been urgent, as the WHO's declaration underscores the global public health implications of the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)