The Democratic Republic of the Congo is set to receive 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine from the global Ebola virus disease vaccine stockpile as it responds to its largest Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization said 20,000 doses will be used in a late-stage trial examining whether Ervebo protects against the Bundibugyo virus.
The outbreak has killed 2,476 people among 5,208 confirmed cases, according to the supplied source material. The remaining 50,000 doses will be directed to frontline and health workers under recommendations from the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization.
Why the vaccine allocation includes a trial
Ervebo is licensed for use against Ebola virus, one of the viruses that cause Ebola disease, but it is not licensed for the Bundibugyo virus responsible for the current outbreak. The WHO said it is not known whether Ervebo protects people against Bundibugyo, making the clinical trial important for generating evidence.
No vaccine or specific treatment has been approved for Bundibugyo to date. The 20,000-dose trial allocation is therefore separate from the planned vaccination of health and frontline workers.
Related coverage: Unpaid Ebola health workers walk out in DR Congo’s Ituri province.
How the outbreak response is being expanded
The Congolese government requested the release of Ervebo doses from the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision last week. The global vaccine alliance Gavi said it would provide $7m for shipment to the DRC and a further $6m to support vaccination efforts in high-risk areas.
United Nations humanitarian agencies have warned that the outbreak continues to spread. The response priorities include tripling safe-care capacity, strengthening community engagement, doubling safe and dignified burial teams, expanding disease surveillance and increasing support for vulnerable people.
When the outbreak began and what happens next
The current outbreak was declared in mid-May, although some experts suspect it began as early as February. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said earlier this week that the outbreak in eastern DRC remains a global emergency.
More context: DR Congo faces surge in Ebola infections reaching 3,200 cases and 1,405 deaths.
The Congolese government and its partners have also launched the “Congo River Without Ebola” initiative to intensify disease surveillance and preparedness. The allocation of doses and the clinical trial will proceed alongside the wider response.
Also read: Uganda confirms end of Ebola outbreak amid ongoing crisis in DRC.
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