DRC initiates Ebola vaccinations for front-line workers amid outbreak surge

DRC begins vaccinating front‑line health workers against Ebola

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has started a vaccination campaign for front‑line health workers as the country struggles to contain a new Ebola outbreak. Health officials are prioritising staff in the city of Kisangani and surrounding areas of the Ituri province, which borders Uganda, where the outbreak is most intense.

The vaccine being distributed is the WHO‑approved Ervebo, which is licensed for the Zaire strain of Ebola. Its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain, which is responsible for the current outbreak, has not yet been proven. About 20,000 of the 70,000 doses approved for use in the DRC will be allocated to a clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s performance against this strain. The remaining 50,000 doses will be used to inoculate health workers and other front‑line responders.

Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the government would “cover all the provinces that are around Ituri, moving in the ring towards the centre of the outbreak.” He also confirmed that more than 50,000 doses had been received and that the vaccination drive would begin in the city of Kisangani, where the first injections were administered on Monday. The campaign is part of a broader effort to protect those most at risk of exposure as the outbreak continues to spread under difficult conditions.

As of Tuesday, the DRC government reported 5,713 confirmed Ebola cases, including 2,744 deaths. The outbreak is the deadliest that has ever hit the country, surpassing the 2014‑2016 West African epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak remains out of control, with cases rising in multiple provinces and a high level of community transmission.

The WHO has urged the DRC to accelerate vaccination, noting that the current supply of Ervebo is insufficient to cover all health workers. The agency has also highlighted the challenges posed by insecurity, displacement, a strike by health workers, and large population movements, all of which hamper containment efforts.

Clinical trials for a vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain are underway, but no approved vaccine or treatment exists for this variant. Scientists are working to determine whether Ervebo can provide adequate protection. In the meantime, the DRC is implementing other public health measures, including contact tracing, isolation of suspected cases, and community education campaigns.

The decision to vaccinate health workers first follows WHO recommendations that prioritize individuals who are at the highest risk of infection. By inoculating those who are most likely to come into contact with patients, the DRC aims to reduce transmission within healthcare settings and prevent further spread to the wider community.

Despite the rollout, health workers have called for additional vaccine doses. They report shortages in personal protective equipment and a growing number of suspected cases in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities. The DRC government has pledged to secure more supplies and to expand the vaccination program to other high‑risk groups, including laboratory personnel and community volunteers involved in contact tracing.

The outbreak’s trajectory has drawn international concern, with the WHO warning that it could exceed the death toll of the 2014‑2016 epidemic. The agency has called for increased funding, stronger surveillance, and accelerated vaccine deployment to curb the spread. In addition to Ervebo, the WHO is monitoring other investigational treatments and vaccines that may become available as part of ongoing research.

The DRC’s vaccination effort marks a critical step in its response strategy, but the effectiveness of the current vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain remains uncertain. As the outbreak continues to grow, the international community remains focused on supporting the country’s public health infrastructure and ensuring that adequate resources reach the most vulnerable populations.