The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have welcomed the allocation of 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to support efforts to contain the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision approved the immediate release of the doses following a request from the DRC Government.
Of the 70,000 doses, 20,000 will be used for a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess Ervebo’s potential effectiveness against Bundibugyo virus, while the remaining 50,000 doses will be administered to frontline and healthcare workers under current WHO immunisation recommendations.
WHO and Africa CDC noted that Ervebo is licensed for outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain of Ebola, but it remains uncertain whether it can protect humans against Bundibugyo virus.
The agencies said the clinical trial could provide evidence to guide future decisions on the vaccine’s use against the virus, while urging informed consent and continued community-led efforts to strengthen outbreak preparedness.
