Congo launches Ebola vaccination for health workers amid rapidly expanding outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo started vaccinating health and frontline workers against Ebola on Thursday, prioritising those directly involved in the response to the continent's fastest-growing outbreak. The campaign, launched in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, will use the Ervebo vaccine, which proved effective in previous outbreaks caused by a different Ebola strain.

"We have decided to use the Ervebo vaccine to protect first those who are on the front line," Health Minister Roger Kamba said at the ceremony. Government figures show 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths, mainly in Ituri province, making this the deadliest of the 17 past Ebola outbreaks in the country. The spread is exacerbated by insecurity, displacement, a health-workers’ strike and large population movements, prompting the World Health Organization to warn that the epidemic could surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak. More than 50,000 doses of Ervebo have arrived in Congo, with the WHO having approved 70,000 doses for use. About 50,000 doses are earmarked for frontline staff, while 20,000 will support a clinical trial assessing protection against the Bundibugyo virus, which currently has no licensed vaccine. The vaccine is being administered under a compassionate-use program, allowing its use despite the lack of specific approval for this strain. Africa CDC director Placide Mbala Kingebeni said data collected during the rollout will help evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness. The campaign aims to cover 14 health zones across Tshopo, Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele provinces, with officials urging health workers to be vaccinated to safeguard themselves and reduce community transmission.