Key facts
- Congo has initiated an Ebola vaccination campaign, prioritizing frontline health workers.
- The current outbreak is the fastest-growing in history, with over 5,700 cases and 2,700 deaths.
- The Ervebo vaccine, effective against other Ebola types, is being used under a compassionate-use program.
- Over 70,000 doses of the vaccine have been approved, with 20,000 designated for a clinical trial on the current strain.
- The outbreak is exacerbated by insecurity, displacement, and population movements.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has commenced vaccinations against Ebola, aiming to control the world's most rapidly expanding outbreak of the disease. Health workers and other frontline responders are being prioritized to receive the Ervebo vaccine, which has proven effective in previous outbreaks caused by different Ebola strains. This campaign is being conducted under a compassionate-use program, allowing the vaccine's use for the current outbreak strain, known as the Bundibugyo virus, while clinical trials are underway to determine its specific efficacy against it.
As of Tuesday, Congo had recorded 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths, with the outbreak primarily concentrated in Ituri province. The World Health Organization has described the situation as out of control, exacerbated by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike, and significant population movements. The current outbreak is on track to surpass the severity of the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which claimed over 11,000 lives.
More than 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been approved for use, with approximately 50,000 doses allocated for frontline personnel and 20,000 for a clinical trial studying its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus. Data collected during the vaccination drive will be used to assess the vaccine's performance. The campaign is set to cover 14 health zones across Tshopo, Bas-Uele, and Haut-Uele provinces, with health authorities strongly encouraging vaccination to protect workers and prevent further community transmission.