Congo begins Ebola vaccinations to fight country’s worst outbreak on record, health minister says
Summary
Congo has started vaccinating people against Ebola to fight its deadliest outbreak ever. The vaccine, Ervebo, is given first to health workers and those exposed to the virus, even though it is officially approved for a different Ebola strain.Key Facts
- Congo launched an Ebola vaccination campaign in Kisangani, eastern Congo.
- Health workers and contacts of patients are the first to receive the vaccine.
- The outbreak has affected six provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, and Tshopo.
- So far, there have been 5,713 confirmed cases and 2,744 deaths, nearly a 48% death rate.
- The outbreak is spreading amid insecurity, displacement, health worker strikes, and population movement.
- Over 50,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine have arrived in Congo.
- Ervebo vaccine is approved for the Zaire Ebola virus, but Congo’s outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo Ebola.
- Ervebo is used under a special program, and its effectiveness against Bundibugyo Ebola is still being studied.
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