The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive 70,000 doses of Merck’s Ervebo Ebola vaccine as authorities and international health partners intensify efforts to contain the country’s rapidly spreading outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday.
The outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare Ebola species for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific treatment. Ervebo is licensed against the Zaire species of Ebola, meaning its effectiveness against Bundibugyo has not yet been established in humans.
Of the 70,000 doses, 20,000 will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess whether Ervebo can protect against the Bundibugyo virus, while 50,000 doses will be made available to frontline and healthcare workers. Early animal studies have suggested the vaccine could provide some cross-protection.
The outbreak has become Congo’s largest recorded Ebola epidemic and has spread across multiple provinces. WHO reported more than 4,600 confirmed cases and over 2,100 deaths by August 12, with transmission continuing at a rapid pace.
The vaccine deployment, alongside surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care and research into treatments, is expected to strengthen efforts to slow transmission and protect health workers at the centre of the response.
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