70,000 Ebola vaccines released to DRC as Bundibugyo outbreak persists

By Chioma Obinna

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, has secured an initial 70,000 doses of Ervebo vaccine from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak.

The release followed a request by the DRC government to the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, ICG, which manages the global Ebola vaccine stockpile.

The ICG informed the DRC government on Monday that it would immediately release the vaccines for use in the outbreak.

Health authorities from the World Health Organisation, stressed that the vaccine is licensed and recommended for Ebola virus disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus, and it is not yet known whether Ervebo can protect humans against Bundibugyo virus.