Congo begins Ebola vaccinations to fight country's worst outbreak in history, health minister says
Summary
Congo has started vaccinating people against Ebola to fight its deadliest outbreak ever. The vaccine campaign began in Kisangani, targeting health workers and people exposed to the virus to help slow the disease’s spread.Key Facts
- The vaccination campaign launched in Kisangani, Tshopo province, eastern Congo.
- Health workers and frontline responders are the first to receive the Ervebo Ebola vaccine.
- Congo has recorded 5,713 confirmed Ebola cases and 2,744 deaths so far, with a death rate of about 48%.
- The outbreak affects six provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele, and Bas-Uele.
- The World Health Organization says the outbreak is out of control and may exceed the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola toll.
- More than 50,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have been delivered; 70,000 doses have been approved for use.
- Ervebo is approved for one type of Ebola (Zaire), but is being used to protect against Bundibugyo Ebola because no specific vaccine exists.
- The vaccine is given under a special program that allows use in urgent situations despite not being fully approved for this specific virus.
- A clinical trial is underway to see if Ervebo works against Bundibugyo Ebola during this campaign.
- The vaccination campaign covers 14 health zones across three provinces: Tshopo, Bas-Uele, and Haut-Uele.
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