Congo to receive 70,000 doses of Ebola vaccine amid fast-spreading outbreak

The World Health Organization said Congo will receive 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which has been used in previous Ebola outbreaks. Of the allocation, 20,000 doses are slated for a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus that is driving the current epidemic, while the remaining 50,000 will be administered to frontline and health workers, according to WHO officials.

The Bundibugyo strain, unlike the Ebola virus for which Ervebo is licensed, has caused 2,476 deaths among 5,208 confirmed cases. WHO noted that early laboratory and animal data suggest the vaccine may offer some protection, though its efficacy against this specific strain is not yet confirmed.

The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision will release the doses immediately after a request from the Congolese government. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the approval demonstrates global solidarity and affirmed the agency’s commitment to enhanced surveillance, rapid detection, quality care, community engagement and vaccination to control the outbreak.

The epidemic, now affecting six provinces in eastern Congo, is spreading roughly three times faster than the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. The case-fatality rate stands at about 47.5%, with higher rates reported in regions such as North Kivu.