Health centers are facing a critical shortage of Mpox vaccines. Authorities announce the imminent arrival of thirty thousand new doses. Disappointment at health centers as vaccination candidates leave empty-handed. Vaccine doses have been unavailable at health centers for several days. "At first, I didn't really believe in this disease, but when I saw colleagues fall ill, I understood I needed to protect myself. I came to get vaccinated, but they're asking me to come back in a few days. The wait is really starting to stress me out, with the disease spreading so rapidly," said a transporter yesterday. Vaccine stocks are depleted, according to Professor Jean de Dieu Mamy Randria, incident manager of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (Cousp), on Monday during a presentation on the epidemic's evolution. According to official figures available to date, 99,000 people have already been vaccinated against Mpox. The Expanded Vaccination Program Directorate (DPEV) under the Ministry of Public Health estimates the actual number of vaccinated people is between 120,000 and 140,000. The count remains incomplete as some basic health centers have not yet transmitted their data due to their remote locations. It took more than three months for the 30,000 vaccine doses received in March to be completely depleted. The vaccination campaign started slowly with low attendance initially. "We received doses to vaccinate 140,000 people. But we were still at fewer than 10,000 vaccinated," said Dr. Laurent Musongo, WHO resident representative in Madagascar, during the official World Health Day ceremony at Barea stadium in Mahamasina on April 7. Only weapons available As cases spread, with confirmed cases exceeding two thousand in six months and around ten deaths, enthusiasm for the vaccine is growing. Unfortunately, the vaccine is currently unavailable. This situation should, however, be resolved quickly. "Barring any setbacks, the next shipment is expected on July 5. This second batch should bring 30,000 additional vaccine doses," said Dr. Tsivahiny Paubert, director of the Expanded Vaccination Program (DPEV). These new doses will allow vaccination of nearly 140,000 people. While awaiting this delivery, vigilance and strict adherence to protective measures remain the only weapons available to slow the epidemic. Mpox is transmitted through close contact with an infected person. Fifty new confirmed cases The latest official report from the Ministry of Public Health indicates an acceleration of infections across the country. According to the latest situation update published by Cousp on June 30, 2026, 50 new cases were officially confirmed nationwide. These cases are distributed across Toamasina I and II, Maintirano, Tolagnaro, Antsirabe, Vatomandry, and Mandoto. With these new cases, cumulative cases since December 2025 reach 2,459. 61 new suspected cases have been reported. Miangaly Ralitera