Rwanda’s taking the bull by the horns in the fight against mpox, kicking off a vaccination campaign that has got everyone talking. They have secured 1,000 doses from Nigeria, and are not wasting any time putting them to use.
The focus? Seven districts right on Congo’s doorstep, where the risk is sky-high. It is a smart move, considering that Congo has been hit like a ton of bricks: nearly 3,000 new cases and 14 deaths in just a week, with the total tally reaching a whopping 6,105 cases and 738 deaths since the year began.
However, these 1,000 doses are just a drop in the ocean. African experts reckon they need about 10 million vaccines to really put the brakes on this outbreak.
The good news is that help is on the way. Japan is stepping up, promising 3 million doses to Congo. And Congo’s gearing up to start jabbing arms in October, with 165,000 doses already in hand and more on the horizon from Europe.
But Africa is not just looking for handouts. They are eyeing the long game, pushing to manufacture these vaccines on home turf. It is a bold move that could be a game-changer for the continent’s health security.
As the world watches, Rwanda’s campaign could be the opening salvo in Africa’s counterattack against mpox. It is a high-stakes game, and the clock is ticking.