© WHO/J. M. Raymond A health worker undergoes disinfection at an Ebola treatment center in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Ebola: WHO experts recommended starting trials of the Ervebo vaccine in the DR Congo Healthcare
A WHO technical advisory group today published a new report on possible vaccines against the Ebola Bundibugyo virus. The panel’s experts recommended that Ervebo, the only registered Ebola vaccine, be prioritized for inclusion in a randomized clinical trial in the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “Ervebo” acts against the Zaire strain.
WHO advisory groups began their work after a public health emergency of international concern was declared on May 16 due to the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC. Experts subsequently met to evaluate existing vaccines and treatments for this type of Ebola and made a first set of recommendations.
At the time, it was recommended that Ervebo should not be used outside of carefully planned research protocols. This is necessary to assess its effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus.
Last week, members of the advisory group held their third meeting to review new data on Erwebo. The experts reviewed preliminary results from animal studies showing that the vaccine provided some level of cross-protection against Bundibugyo virus, including reducing the risk of death from the disease. Experts have concluded that it is safe to use during a Bundibugyo virus outbreak to vaccinate contacts. In this regard, experts recommended that Ervebo be included in a randomized clinical trial as a priority – in the absence of vaccines developed specifically against this strain. A specialized vaccine against this strain remains the preferred option, but preliminary data on such drugs is not yet available. When these data appear, it will also be necessary to establish production on a large scale and ensure the availability of vaccination for the affected population, WHO emphasizes.