Nisha Pandey

DR Congo Begins Ebola Vaccinations Targeting 20,000 Health Workers As Fatalities Cross 3,500

The Democratic Republic of <span>Congo</span> has started vaccinating frontline healthcare workers against <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/ebola">Ebola</a></span> amid the worst-ever outbreak. The vaccination will target 20,000 workers as the death toll has surpassed 3,500. 

Vaccinations began on September 19, 2026, in Bunia and Mongbwalu zones in Ituri province, where the outbreak is the most concentrated. 

The ongoing vaccination campaign will also cover North Kivu, where transmission has refused to slow down. The vaccine coverage is expected to help thousands of frontline workers over the next six to nine months. 

According to the Congolese authorities, as of September 20, the current outbreak caused by <span>Bundibugyo</span> virus has infected around 7,541 people and claimed 3,639 lives. Till now, around 1,823 people have recovered from the infection. 

The <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/dr-congo-says-ebola-outbreak-is-under-control-but-who-warns-virus-is-still-spreading-7000-cases-3398-dead-article-156150126" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bundibugyo virus</a> is a different Ebola species from the Zaire strain, which is targeted by the licensed <span>Ervebo vaccine</span>. 

<h2>Why Congo Is Using <span rel="noindex">Ervebo</span> Vaccine To Target Bundibugyo Ebola Strain? </h2>

The vaccine being administered currently is Ervebo, which is licensed for Ebola caused by the Zaire strain. There is currently no licensed vaccine or proven treatment for Bundibugyo virus. 

The World Health Organization has said evidence is still insufficient to know whether Ervebo protects people against Bundibugyo Ebola. 

Laboratory and animal data suggested it might offer some protection, but this has not been established in humans. 

That is why part of the vaccine allocation is being used as a clinical study. Of the 70,000 Ervebo doses approved for Congo, 50,000 are intended for frontline and health workers, while 20,000 are allocated to research evaluating protection against Bundibugyo virus. 

The study launched by Médecins Sans Frontières and Epicentre will follow 20,000 frontline workers in Ituri and North Kivu for nine to 12 months. 

Steve Ahuka, a Congolese <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-bundibugyo-virus-american-health-worker-had-10x-higher-viral-load-in-throat-than-blood-article-155997969" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola responder</a>, said, “We don’t know to what degree it might be effective against the Bundibugyo strain.”

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/drc-says-ebola-outbreak-has-peaked-un-warns-its-still-growing-article-156162102" data-type="tilCustomLink">DRC Says Ebola Outbreak Has Peaked, UN Warns It’s Still Growing</a>

<h2>Health Workers Are Being Prioritised</h2>

Healthcare workers are at high risk as they face high exposure due to close contact with infected patients. 

Ituri's military governor, Maj. Gen. Gaby Kasongo Mulumba, said, “Our collective duty is to protect life. Launching this vaccination drive for front-line staff in Ituri is not an arbitrary choice, as these workers are particularly exposed and deeply involved in the response.” 

Dr Jeannot Elua, a health worker in Bunia who received the vaccine, called it “beneficial” but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding repeat vaccination.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-transmission-falls-in-some-areas-of-congo-but-outbreak-still-kills-who-article-156170590" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola Transmission Falls In Some Areas Of Congo, But Outbreak Still Kills: WHO</a> 

<h2>Ebola Outbreak Showing Signs Of Finally Slowing Down</h2>

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There are signs of improvement in parts of Ituri, but health authorities and international agencies continue to warn and has not declared that the outbreak is under control. 

WHO Director-General <span>Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus</span> said on September 16 that there were “encouraging signs that we are gaining ground”, particularly in Ituri, but warned that the outbreak remained a serious threat because of high population movement. 

WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove said, “This is far from over.” 

The <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ebola-outbreak-uganda-set-to-start-vaccine-trials-article-151154865" data-type="tilCustomLink">Ebola outbreak</a> has spread across seven provinces and remains particularly difficult to control because of uncertainty, displacement, population movement and challenges in reaching affected communities.

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The Democratic Republic of Congo has started vaccinating frontline healthcare workers against Ebola amid the worst-ever outbreak. The vaccination will target 20,000 workers as the death toll has surpassed 3,500. Vaccinations began on September 19, 2026, in Bunia and Mongbwalu zones in Ituri province, where the outbreak is the most concentrated. The ongoing vaccination campaign will also cover North Kivu, where transmission has refused to slow down. The vaccine coverage is expected to help thousands of frontline workers over the next six to nine months. According to the Congolese authorities, as of September 20, the current outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus has infected around 7,541 people and claimed 3,639 lives. Till now, around 1,823 people have recovered from the infection. The Bundibugyo virus is a different Ebola species from the Zaire strain, which is targeted by the licensed Ervebo vaccine. Why Congo Is Using Ervebo Vaccine To Target Bundibugyo Ebola Strain? The vaccine being administered currently is Ervebo, which is licensed for Ebola caused by the Zaire strain. There is currently no licensed vaccine or proven treatment for Bundibugyo virus. The World Health Organization has said evidence is still insufficient to know whether Ervebo protects people against Bundibugyo Ebola. Laboratory and animal data suggested it might offer some protection, but this has not been established in humans. That is why part of the vaccine allocation is being used as a clinical study. Of the 70,000 Ervebo doses approved for Congo, 50,000 are intended for frontline and health workers, while 20,000 are allocated to research evaluating protection against Bundibugyo virus. The study launched by Médecins Sans Frontières and Epicentre will follow 20,000 frontline workers in Ituri and North Kivu for nine to 12 months. Steve Ahuka, a Congolese Ebola responder, said, “We don’t know to what degree it might be effective against the Bundibugyo strain.”Also read: DRC Says Ebola Outbreak Has Peaked, UN Warns It’s Still GrowingHealth Workers Are Being PrioritisedHealthcare workers are at high risk as they face high exposure due to close contact with infected patients. Ituri's military governor, Maj. Gen. Gaby Kasongo Mulumba, said, “Our collective duty is to protect life. Launching this vaccination drive for front-line staff in Ituri is not an arbitrary choice, as these workers are particularly exposed and deeply involved in the response.” Dr Jeannot Elua, a health worker in Bunia who received the vaccine, called it “beneficial” but acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding repeat vaccination.Also read: Ebola Transmission Falls In Some Areas Of Congo, But Outbreak Still Kills: WHO Ebola Outbreak Showing Signs Of Finally Slowing Down         There are signs of improvement in parts of Ituri, but health authorities and international agencies continue to warn and has not declared that the outbreak is under control. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on September 16 that there were “encouraging signs that we are gaining ground”, particularly in Ituri, but warned that the outbreak remained a serious threat because of high population movement. WHO's Maria Van Kerkhove said, “This is far from over.” The Ebola outbreak has spread across seven provinces and remains particularly difficult to control because of uncertainty, displacement, population movement and challenges in reaching affected communities.

dr congo begins ebola vaccinations targeting 20,000 health workers as fatalities cross 3,500

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