The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to receive three million doses of mpox vaccine from Japan next week, marking a significant step in the fight against the outbreak. The vaccines, which are safe for children, will be used to vaccinate the youngest, most vulnerable population in the DRC, the epicenter of the ongoing mpox crisis.
Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), confirmed the arrival of the LC16m8 vaccines, which were originally developed for smallpox by the Japanese company KM Biologics and have proven effective against mpox. Japan’s donation, initially delayed due to legal issues, was pledged in September.
The vaccine, which will be administered to children aged zero to five, will be delivered using a bifurcated needle, a method that involves pricking the skin 15 times to ensure proper vaccine delivery. This technique requires specialized training for healthcare workers, and a delegation from Japan will travel to the DRC this weekend to train local staff.
More than 44% of the confirmed mpox cases in the DRC are among children under 15, according to the latest data from the Africa CDC. The vaccine’s arrival is expected to significantly help curb the spread of the disease, which has been declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Africa CDC has also inquired about the availability of additional vaccine doses for other countries across the continent, with ongoing negotiations with Japan. Kaseya expressed optimism, stating that Japan has shown willingness to support further distribution.