In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a large share of mpox vaccines donated by Japan is being wasted because of strict preparation requirements. According to the country’s mpox response lead, Cris Kacita, about 35 % of the doses are discarded. Each vial contains 250 powder doses that must be mixed before use and cannot be stored for more than a few hours once opened. The LC16 vaccine, manufactured by KM Biologics, is the only option approved for children and is being administered to those aged one year and older. Its technical complexity—requiring a specific needle and administration technique—adds to the storage challenges.
Delivery is further hampered by the remote and politically unstable nature of some of the worst‑affected provinces. Despite these obstacles, officials say the vaccine has been effective in curbing the outbreak in the capital, Kinshasa. This year the Congo recorded 53,657 mpox cases, down from 67,247 the previous year. The World Health Organization notes that such vaccines typically have high wastage rates, ranging from 5 % to 50 %. It recently downgraded the mpox outbreak from a global emergency because of declining rates, but transmission continues in 17 African countries, underscoring the need for effective vaccination campaigns.
The mpox outbreak in the Congo has been ongoing, with over half a million people vaccinated so far. While the vaccine has proven effective, the wastage rate remains a significant concern. Kacita estimates the loss rate for the Japanese LC16 vaccine at 32 %–35 %. The Congolese government is working to prevent further loss, but complex logistics of vaccine delivery and storage pose major hurdles. This situation highlights the challenges of combating public‑health crises in remote and unstable regions and emphasizes the critical need for efficient vaccination campaigns despite the logistical difficulties that are causing substantial waste of vital medical resources.
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