As it tries to quell an outbreak of mpox, the Democratic Republic of Congo has kicked off vaccinations against the disease. 265,000 doses were given to the DRC by the EU and US; they have been administered in Kivu province and Goma.

With about 30,000 suspected mpox cases and 859 deaths, it accounts for more than 80% of cases and 99% of deaths reported in Africa this year.

By Djaffar Al Katanty GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -Congolese health officials launched their first mpox vaccination campaign on Saturday, a key step in efforts to contain an outbreak that has spread from its epicentre in the Democratic Republic of Congo to numerous other African nations this year.

The Democratic Republic of Congo recorded nearly 1,000 deaths and more than 30,000 mpox cases. Starting next week the shots will be offered to the public.Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo said Saturday they had begun a vaccination campaign against mpox-- a virus that causes painful rashes and flu-like symptoms and in some cases can be deadly.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of an mpox epidemic, launched a vaccination campaign against the virus on Saturday in the eastern city of Goma, AFP journalists said. I want to protect myself,