Mpox Vaccinations Continue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The ongoing mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached 22 out of 26 provinces, including the capital city of Kinshasa and a few other large cities.

As of February 8, 2024, the U.S. CDC reported the DRC had confirmed 12,569 suspect mpox cases and 581 deaths since January 2023.

Furthermore, the CDC's Level 2 Travel Advisory says casual contact is not likely to cause the disease to spread. However, travelers to impacted areas should seek medical care immediately if they develop unexplained skin rash, with or without fever and chills.

The CDC says people in the United States who have already had a mpox infection or are fully vaccinated with the JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) vaccine should be protected against the type of mpox cade spreading in DRC.

JYNNEOS is a 2-dose vaccine; people need both doses for the best protection against mpox. The second dose should be given four weeks after the first dose.

 In the U.S., some large cities offer JYNNEOS for free. It may be available at the health department, public health clinics, hospitals, or pharmacies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Mpox External Situation Report #31 confirmed on December 22, 2023, that it has received mpox case reports from 115 affected countries since May 2022. Based on the data reported, the mpox outbreak will continue in most WHO regions in 2024.