WHO and Africa CDC back community-led response as researchers seek evidence on whether the vaccine can protect against the Bundibugyo virus.
By Bunmi Yekini
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been allocated an initial 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, including supplies for a clinical trial to determine whether the vaccine can protect against the Bundibugyo virus behind the country’s current outbreak.
The International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG) approved the immediate release after the Congolese government requested emergency access to the stockpile last week.
Of the doses allocated, 20,000 will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial to assess the vaccine’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus, while 50,000 doses will be offered to frontline and health workers under current recommendations by the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).
Ervebo is licensed and recommended for outbreaks caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, but it is not yet known whether it protects humans against the Bundibugyo virus.
Early laboratory and animal studies suggest the vaccine could provide some protection, but health authorities said the clinical trial was needed to generate stronger evidence that could guide future policy and outbreak responses.
WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) welcomed the allocation, saying they supported the Congolese government’s efforts to protect affected communities while generating scientific evidence during the response.
The two organisations said people offered the vaccine, whether through the clinical trial or other arrangements, should be clearly informed about the potential risks, benefits and limitations of its use against the Bundibugyo virus and must be able to give informed consent.
WHO and Africa CDC also backed a community-led approach to the outbreak, saying affected communities should play a central role in efforts to contain the disease.
“Africa CDC and WHO are united in support of the Government of the DRC to protect affected communities, save lives and bring the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak to an end,” the organisations said.
The ICG, established in 1997 following major meningitis outbreaks in Africa, coordinates emergency supplies of vaccines and antibiotics during major disease outbreaks.
Its partners are WHO, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Médecins Sans Frontières and UNICEF, while Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, funds the Ebola vaccine stockpile.
The ICG has managed the emergency Ebola vaccine stockpile since January 2021. Between its establishment and July 2026, more than 56,000 doses of Ervebo were allocated to respond to Ebola outbreaks in the DRC.
A further 167,000 doses have been used in preventive vaccination campaigns for health and frontline workers in the DRC, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
Health authorities said the latest deployment could help protect those at greatest risk while providing evidence that could strengthen Africa’s preparedness for future Ebola outbreaks.