The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun vaccinating front-line healthcare workers and other high-risk personnel against Ebola as authorities work to contain an outbreak concentrated in Ituri province.
The first vaccinations are being administered in Kisangani, with more than 50,000 doses received by the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the allocation of 70,000 doses of Ervebo for use in the DRC. However, Ervebo is licensed for Ebola caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, while the current outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain. Its effectiveness against this strain has not yet been established.
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Around 20,000 doses of the allocated vaccines will support a clinical trial to assess Ervebo’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain. The remaining doses will help protect frontline and healthcare workers.
DRC Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said “vaccination efforts will expand to provinces surrounding Ituri to create a wider protective ring around the outbreak.”
The response is taking place amid significant challenges, including insecurity, displacement, population movements and a healthcare workers’ strike. According to government figures, the DRC had recorded 5,713 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,744 deaths as of August 25. The current outbreak is reported to be the deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the country.
There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, while clinical trials continue to evaluate potential interventions.
