Congo receives first shipment of over 16,000 Ebola vaccine doses
The Democratic Republic of Congo has taken delivery of more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, part of a larger 70,000-dose shipment expected from the WHO and partners.
Kinshasa received 16,250 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine at N’djili International Airport on Friday, health officials said. The delivery is the first tranche of a planned 70,000 doses that the World Health Organization and partner agencies announced on Thursday, with additional supplies expected early next week.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has no approved specific treatment or vaccine, and its symptoms can resemble malaria, making detection challenging. While Ervebo is licensed for Ebola and has shown effectiveness in previous outbreaks, the WHO notes it may offer some protection against the Bundibugyo variant.
According to the Africa Centre for Disease Control, the current epidemic has resulted in 5,375 confirmed cases and 2,557 deaths across six provinces. Transmission rates have not yet peaked and could increase further, prompting heightened surveillance and response efforts.
"We are working closely with international partners to ensure rapid deployment of the vaccine to at-risk populations," the health minister said.