Rwanda Becomes First African Nation to Launch Mpox Vaccination Campaign
Rwanda has made history by becoming the first country in Africa to initiate a vaccination campaign against mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a critical move in the continent’s battle against the viral disease.
On Tuesday, the Rwandan Ministry of Health began administering 300 doses of the mpox vaccine to high-risk individuals in areas bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the outbreak has been particularly severe.
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC), underscored the urgency of controlling the spread of mpox, stating, “This outbreak must be stopped very quickly.” Kaseya further emphasized the need for local vaccine production to ensure sustainable access, adding, “We are working closely with our manufacturers and partners to ensure these vaccines are produced in Africa.”
The vaccination campaign initially targets healthcare workers, cross-border business operators, hospitality staff, and other high-risk populations in Rwanda.
The DRC remains at the center of the African mpox crisis, having reported 2,912 new cases and 14 deaths over the past week. The country has registered a total of 6,105 cases and 738 deaths since January. The DRC is set to begin its own vaccination campaign in October, with 165,000 doses already delivered and more expected from European partners.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, called for global collaboration to combat the spread of mpox, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “International collaboration and support are needed to stop the spread of the virus.”
Rwanda’s vaccination campaign is the latest in a series of efforts across Africa to contain the disease. In August, the United States, through USAID, donated 10,000 doses of the mpox vaccine to Nigeria, further supporting the continent’s efforts to prevent a larger outbreak.
The launch of Rwanda’s vaccination drive marks a significant milestone in Africa’s fight against mpox, demonstrating the growing momentum to halt the disease’s spread through coordinated public health measures and international support.
