Congo Launches Ebola Vaccination for Frontline Workers in Bunia

Congo began vaccinating health care workers against Ebola on Saturday in Bunia, the epicentre of the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease in the country's history.

Frontline and health workers are being prioritised for the Ervebo vaccine, which has proved effective in previous outbreaks caused by the more common Zaire strain. Health authorities said the vaccine could offer some protection against the Bundibugyo virus because the two are related, though whether it can actually prevent illness in people infected with Bundibugyo Ebola is still being studied.

The vaccine is being deployed under a compassionate-use programme, which allows a medical product to be used in a serious disease situation even though it has not been specifically approved for that particular use.

The rollout is targeting the Bunia and Mongbwalu zones in Ituri province, both among the areas hardest hit by the virus.

Nikole Landu, a health care worker who received the vaccine, said she wanted protection because she is in constant contact with sick people and faces a high risk of catching the disease. She said the vaccine would help protect her, and that while she might still contract the disease, she was less likely to develop a severe case.

As of Saturday, the country had recorded 7,541 confirmed cases, including 3,639 deaths, according to government figures. The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri province and is known to be the deadliest of all past 17 Ebola outbreaks in the country.

The military governor of Ituri, Maj. Gen. Gaby Kasongo Mulumba, said the decision to launch the vaccination drive for front-line staff in the province was not arbitrary, as these workers are particularly exposed and deeply involved in the response. He was himself vaccinated in Bunia on Saturday.

"Together, we can defeat Bundibugyo virus disease and protect our community," he said.

Catherine Smallwood, who works on public health surveillance at the World Health Organization, described the launch as a significant milestone in the response to the epidemic, demonstrating the determination of Congolese authorities, the commitment of national and provincial teams, and the solidarity of all partners working side by side.

The outbreak is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fuelled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements. The World Health Organization has said it remains out of control and is on track to surpass the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the deadliest on record, which killed more than 11,000 people, primarily in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Last month, the Ervebo vaccine was rolled out in Kisangani in Tshopo province, with the campaign expected to cover 14 health zones across Tshopo, Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele provinces. The World Health Organization said last month that 70,000 doses of Ervebo had been approved for use in Congo. About 50,000 doses are intended for frontline and health workers, while 20,000 doses will be used in a clinical trial to study whether the vaccine protects against the Bundibugyo virus, which is causing the current outbreak and has no licensed vaccine or treatment.