Congolese health officials initiated their first mpox vaccination campaign on Saturday, marking a crucial step in containing an outbreak that has spread from its epicenter in the Democratic Republic of Congo to several African nations this year.

The campaign's launch was marked by a ceremony at a hospital in Goma, an eastern city, where health workers were prioritized to receive the first vaccine doses. This move signals the beginning of efforts to address a severe inequity, as African countries were previously left without access to the vaccines during the global mpox outbreak in 2022, despite widespread availability in Europe and the United States.

Although the campaign has started, the Health Ministry has warned of its limited scope due to resource constraints. Currently, only 265,000 vaccine doses are available, but more supplies are expected to arrive in the coming months.

"The rollout of the vaccine marks an important step in limiting the spread of the virus and ensuring the safety of families and communities," said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Africa director, in a statement.

Mpox, a virus spread through close contact, usually presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. While typically mild, it can be fatal in rare cases. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August after identifying a new variant of the virus.

Congo has been one of the hardest-hit countries, reporting over 30,000 suspected and confirmed cases of mpox and 990 deaths since the start of 2024. This accounts for 90% of Africa's reported cases this year, according to WHO data.

As health officials in Congo strive to contain the virus, the vaccine rollout is seen as a critical measure in protecting communities and preventing further spread across the continent.