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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will receive 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine as health authorities respond to an ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease

The International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision approved the allocation this week after the DRC government requested access to the global Ebola vaccine stockpile.

This approval is meant to support the country’s immediate response while also generating evidence about whether the vaccine can protect against the Bundibugyo virus.

Vaccine allocation

Of the 70,000 doses being released, 50,000 will vaccinate frontline health workers. This follows recommendations from the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE).

A further 20,000 doses will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The trial will assess Ervebo’s effectiveness and potential impact against the Bundibugyo virus, providing information that could help shape future outbreak responses.

Ervebo is licensed and recommended for use against Ebola virus disease caused by the Zaire ebolavirus. However, it is not yet known whether the vaccine can protect people against the Bundibugyo virus.

Limited evidence on protection

Laboratory and animal research has provided early indications that Ervebo could offer some protection against Bundibugyo virus. However, evidence from humans is currently lacking.

The clinical trial is therefore expected to play an important role in determining whether the vaccine can be safely and effectively used against the virus. The findings could provide valuable evidence for policymakers and health agencies preparing for future outbreaks.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of informed consent. People offered the vaccine, whether as part of the clinical trial or through the wider response, should understand its potential risks, benefits and limitations in relation to Bundibugyo virus.

Focus on communities

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have welcomed the vaccine allocation and supported the DRC government’s response.

Both organisations are encouraging a community-led approach, with local communities playing a central role in controlling the outbreak. Protecting affected populations and health workers remains a key priority as authorities work to prevent further transmission and save lives.

Building on previous vaccine responses

The ICG has managed the emergency Ebola vaccine stockpile since January 2021. The mechanism was established to help countries access vaccines quickly and equitably during major disease outbreaks.

Since the Ebola vaccine mechanism was established, more than 56,000 doses of Ervebo had been allocated for Ebola outbreaks in the DRC by July 2026. Another 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.