Congo begins Ebola vaccinations against world's fastest-growing outbreak

Congo commenced its Ebola vaccination campaign on Thursday, aiming to combat the country's worst-ever outbreak on record. Health Minister Roger Kamba announced that the vaccination drive commenced in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province in the eastern part of the country. Among the first to receive the vaccine were health workers and individuals who have been in contact with patients.

Kamba stated that the Ervebo vaccine would be administered to frontline healthcare providers before moving on to others who have had contact with patients. The outbreak has impacted six provinces in Congo, with a total of 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths reported as of Tuesday. The overall death rate stands at approximately 48%.

The eastern Congo outbreak is exacerbated by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike, and extensive population movements. The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains that the epidemic remains uncontrolled and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the deadliest on record, which claimed over 11,000 lives primarily in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Over 50,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been received by Congo, with 70,000 doses approved for use by the WHO. Of these, about 50,000 doses are earmarked for frontline health workers and those in contact with patients, while an additional 20,000 doses will be part of a clinical trial to determine if the vaccine is effective against Bundibugyo Ebola, the specific strain causing the current outbreak.

Ervebo, however, is approved for protecting against the Zaire ebolavirus, a different type of Ebola virus. There is no approved vaccine specifically for Bundibugyo Ebola. The Ervebo vaccine is being used under a compassionate-use program, allowing its use in serious disease situations even without specific approval for that use.

Health authorities believe the vaccine could provide some protection against Bundibugyo Ebola as the two viruses are related, although its efficacy in preventing illness in Bundibugyo Ebola patients is still under investigation. Africa CDC's director for research, clinical trials, and innovation, Placide Mbala Kingebeni, said data will be collected during the vaccination campaign to assess the vaccine's effectiveness.

The campaign is projected to extend to 14 health zones in Tshopo, Bas-Uele, and Haut-Uele provinces. Kamba urged health workers to get vaccinated, emphasizing that the vaccine could protect them from the disease and prevent them from transmitting the virus to their communities.