Residents in Kisangani are queuing to receive vaccinations as the Democratic Republic of Congo scrambles to halt its worst Ebola outbreak on record.
The ongoing crisis is fueled by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a variant that currently lacks approved treatments or tailored vaccines. In an effort to curb transmission, health authorities are deploying the Ervebo vaccine, which is approved for other Ebola strains, in hopes that it will provide a degree of cross-protection.
By getting this vaccine, I am building antibodies in my body and creating a reserve of protection, said Jérôme Bonui Boliaka, head of the Kisangani Nurses’ Association.
Healthcare practitioners and frontline personnel were prioritized during the initial phase of the inoculation rollout.
It is our duty to care for patients, said Dr. Jean-Louis Etukumalo, so I must get vaccinated against Ebola virus disease to help save lives.
The outbreak has swept through eastern DRC since mid-May, accumulating over 5,600 confirmed cases and causing more than 2,700 deaths. To support the emergency response, the nation is slated to receive an allocation of 70,000 vaccine doses.
