The Democratic Republic of Congo has begun vaccinating frontline health workers against Ebola in Bunia, Ituri Province, the epicentre of the country’s fastest-growing outbreak of the disease.
The vaccination exercise, which began on Saturday, is targeting health workers and other frontline personnel who are at high risk of exposure to the virus.
Health authorities are using the Ervebo vaccine, which has proved effective against previous outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain of Ebola.
However, authorities say the vaccine is being administered under a compassionate-use programme because its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus, responsible for the current outbreak, is still being studied.
Nikole Landu, a healthcare worker, said she received the vaccine because of her constant contact with sick patients.
“I wanted to get vaccinated because I am in constant contact with sick people and I am at high risk of catching the disease,” she said.
Landu added that although the vaccine might not provide complete protection, it could reduce the risk of severe illness.
Health authorities said Ervebo could offer some protection against the Bundibugyo virus because the two viruses are related, but further studies are needed to determine whether it can prevent illness among people infected with the virus.
The vaccination campaign is being implemented in Bunia and Mongbwalu health zones in Ituri Province, both of which are among the areas hardest hit by the outbreak.
As of Saturday, Congo had recorded 7,541 confirmed Ebola cases, including 3,639 deaths, according to government figures.
The outbreak is concentrated in Ituri Province and has been described as the deadliest of the country’s 17 Ebola outbreaks.
The response has been complicated by insecurity, displacement, a health workers’ strike and increased population movements.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the outbreak remains difficult to control and could surpass the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which killed more than 11,000 people, mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The Military Governor of Ituri, Maj.-Gen. Gaby Kasongo Mulumba, said the decision to prioritise frontline workers was necessary because of their exposure to the virus and their role in the response.
“Together, we can defeat Bundibugyo virus disease and protect our community,” Mulumba said after receiving the vaccine in Bunia on Saturday.
Last month, Congo began administering the Ervebo vaccine in Kisangani, Tshopo Province, with the campaign expected to cover 14 health zones across Tshopo, Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele provinces.
The WHO said last month, that 70,000 doses of Ervebo had been approved for use in Congo.
It said about 50,000 doses would be allocated to frontline and health workers, while 20,000 doses would be used in a clinical trial to determine whether the vaccine provides protection against the Bundibugyo virus.
The Bundibugyo virus, which is responsible for the current outbreak, has no licensed vaccine or specific treatment.
Africanews
