Start of Ebola Vaccination Campaign in Southern Congo

In a significant step to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak, vaccination efforts have commenced in the southern region of Congo's Kasai province. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that initial vaccinations target those exposed to the virus as well as frontline healthcare workers. The outbreak, characterized by its high contagion level, was officially declared earlier this month in the remote area of Bulape. So far, at least 16 fatalities have been reported, alongside 68 suspected cases, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The vaccination campaign is utilizing the Ervebo vaccine, with the first batch comprising 400 doses already dispatched to the region. Further vaccine supplies are anticipated as the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision has approved an additional approximately 45,000 doses, supplementing the initial stockpile of 2,000 doses available in the country. However, challenges such as limited access to affected areas and scarce financial resources have hampered vaccination efforts.

This particular outbreak marks Congo’s 16th since the virus was first identified in 1976 and involves the Zaire species of Ebola, named after the country's former name. The situation is compounded by ongoing conflict and violence, especially in the eastern parts of the country, which have severely affected the health infrastructure. Despite these obstacles, health authorities continue to work diligently to contain the virus and prevent further spread.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-ebola-vaccination-southern-congo.html