The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the release of 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to combat an ongoing outbreak, according to a Reuters report. The DRC requested the doses from the global Ebola vaccine stockpile, managed by the International Coordinating Group (ICG), a partnership including WHO, UNICEF, and other health agencies.
As of August 2026, the outbreak has resulted in at least 50 deaths and 100 confirmed cases, according to WHO data. The epicenter is in the Equateur Province, where health workers are racing to contain the spread. The vaccine, manufactured by Merck, has been shown to be highly effective in previous outbreaks.
The ICG approved the release on August 20, 2026, and doses are expected to arrive in the DRC within days. Vaccination campaigns will prioritize healthcare workers and contacts of confirmed cases, following WHO guidelines.
This is the DRC's third Ebola outbreak in recent years, and the country has extensive experience in managing such crises. However, challenges remain, including remote geography and community mistrust in some areas.
