Mpox Vaccine Donation from Japan
The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive a transformative donation of three million mpox vaccine doses from Japan next week. This significant delivery will mark the first time vaccines suitable for children will be introduced in the country. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), shared the announcement during a press briefing on Thursday.
Until now, Congo’s vaccination efforts against mpox excluded children, despite them accounting for over 44% of confirmed cases. Japan’s LC16m8 vaccines, developed by KM Biologics, were initially created for smallpox and later found effective against mpox. Their arrival signals a pivotal moment in combating the epidemic, which the World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency.
Addressing legal hurdles, the shipment follows Japan’s September pledge to share mpox vaccines from its national stockpile. “The good news we got from Japan is that, next week, we are getting the Japanese vaccine in DRC that will allow the vaccination of children,” Kaseya stated.
Children’s Vulnerability to Mpox
Children under 15 years old have been particularly vulnerable to the ongoing mpox outbreak, with over 10,533 confirmed cases reported nationwide. Among them, the youngest—those under five—are most at risk, accounting for a significant portion of hospitalizations.
This mpox vaccine will be administered to children aged zero to five using a bifurcated needle technique. This method involves pricking the skin 15 times to deliver the vaccine, an approach unfamiliar to many local healthcare workers. To address this gap, a Japanese delegation is set to train Congolese health professionals on this technique over the weekend.
This initiative has been welcomed by the Congo’s National Institute for Public Health. Its director, Dieudonne Mwamba, highlighted the importance of equipping medical teams to ensure the vaccine’s safe and effective rollout.
Escalating Mpox Cases in Africa
The mpox outbreak has affected 20 African countries, with Congo at its epicenter. Last week alone, Africa CDC recorded a dramatic rise in cases, jumping to 3,545 from 2,708 the previous week. Tragically, 37 deaths were also reported during this period, comparable to the 36 fatalities of the previous week.
This alarming trend is driven by two viral clades: clade 1a and the novel clade 1b. Notably, detections of clade 1b have been increasing since July, compounding the challenge of containing the outbreak. Moreover, shifts in transmission status have been observed across several African nations, with countries like the Republic of Congo and Ghana returning to active transmission phases.
Angola has also emerged as a hotspot, reporting nine new cases across its northwestern provinces in the last three weeks. Efforts are underway to sequence the virus and better understand its transmission dynamics.
International Cooperation for Vaccine Deployment
The introduction of the LC16m8 vaccine in Congo underscores the critical role of international partnerships in addressing public health emergencies. While Congo is the initial beneficiary, Africa CDC has opened negotiations with Japan to extend the vaccine donation to other African countries.
This collaboration represents a proactive step in addressing mpox’s devastating impact on children. Mwamba expressed optimism that the vaccines’ arrival would significantly enhance outbreak control measures in Congo and beyond.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Last week, Africa CDC flagged an unexplained outbreak in a remote Congolese region, which has reported 147 new cases, many in children under five. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause, with sample quality and transportation difficulties delaying conclusive results.
Training and Preparedness for Mpox Vaccination
Beyond vaccine distribution, ensuring the successful rollout requires rigorous preparation. The delegation from Japan will train Congolese healthcare workers on the bifurcated needle technique, an essential skill for administering the LC16m8 vaccine.
Training sessions will prioritize safe vaccine delivery, particularly for vulnerable pediatric populations. Mwamba emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Building local capacity is as critical as the vaccines themselves in ensuring we control this outbreak effectively.”
As the vaccines arrive, a race against time unfolds. With children making up the majority of new cases, swift action is imperative to curb the spread and prevent further fatalities.
Hope for Broader Vaccine Access
The positive impact of the LC16m8 vaccine is already being anticipated across the continent. Africa CDC’s ongoing negotiations with Japan reflect a broader strategy to combat mpox in affected nations.
While the Bavarian Nordic vaccine is also being used in Congo, Rwanda, and Nigeria, its limitations—only being suitable for those aged 12 and older—underscore the significance of Japan’s donation. Additionally, ongoing studies aim to expand its use to younger children, potentially bridging the gap in vaccine availability.
Kaseya expressed optimism about securing more doses for Africa, stating, “We are negotiating with Japan, and we’ll see what the outcome will be, but they were open to that.”
Mpox Outbreak: A Call to Action
The fight against mpox demands coordinated action across borders. Congo’s vaccination drive for children sets a precedent, offering hope for other nations grappling with similar challenges. As vaccine access improves, the continent must also strengthen its public health systems to manage future outbreaks more effectively.
With the arrival of this mpox vaccine, Congo takes a crucial step toward protecting its youngest citizens from mpox’s devastating effects. This initiative not only addresses a critical gap in vaccination efforts but also highlights the power of international cooperation in overcoming global health crises.
