The World Health Organisation has begun trials of the Ervebo vaccine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with 20,000 doses of the vaccine allocated for the research vaccination programme in Ituri province.
In a statement on Monday, the UN agency said the aim of the trial is to improve understanding of how effective the vaccine is against Ebola Bundibugyo virus – and to protect individuals most exposed to it.
It said the 20,000 doses are part of 70,000 doses that have been made available to DRC authorities to support the outbreak response and related research.
The vaccine has been “highly effective” against Ebola Zaire virus in the past, but it is not yet known whether it can provide “meaningful protection” against Ebola Bundibugyo disease, which is still spreading in the DRC.
First declared an emergency after several cases were reported in Ituri province around May, the outbreak has since spread to seven provinces.
More than 7,600 confirmed cases of infection have so far been reported, including over 3,670 deaths.
JN/APA