The Democratic Republic of the Congo has begun vaccinating frontline healthcare workers and Ebola responders as authorities intensify efforts to contain the country’s deadliest Ebola outbreak on record.
The campaign was launched in Kisangani, where health workers are among the first to receive the Ervebo vaccine because of their increased risk of exposure while treating patients and responding to suspected infections.
More than 50,000 vaccine doses have been received by the DRC, while the World Health Organization has approved 70,000 doses for use in the country. Authorities plan to extend vaccination to other provinces surrounding Ituri, where the outbreak is concentrated.
A major challenge is that the current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, while Ervebo is licensed against the Zaire strain. Its effectiveness against Bundibugyo has not yet been established. Around 20,000 doses will therefore be used as part of a clinical trial to assess whether the vaccine can provide protection against the current strain.
The outbreak has placed severe pressure on the country’s healthcare system. Government figures reported 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths as of August 25. Insecurity, population displacement, healthcare-worker shortages and population movement are making containment more difficult.
Authorities are prioritising healthcare workers because protecting those on the front lines is considered essential to reducing transmission within medical facilities and communities.
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