The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive 70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine as the country battles its largest recorded outbreak of the deadly disease.
The World Health Organization announced the allocation on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as authorities and international health partners step up efforts to control the outbreak. The current epidemic has caused more than 5,000 confirmed cases and thousands of deaths, making it one of the most serious public health emergencies in the country’s history.
Of the 70,000 vaccine doses, 20,000 will be used in a Phase 3 clinical trial to study whether Ervebo can protect people against the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current outbreak. The remaining 50,000 doses will be allocated to frontline and health workers, who face a high risk of exposure while treating patients and responding to the crisis.
Ervebo has previously proved effective against the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus. However, it is not currently approved specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, and it is still unclear how much protection it can provide against the virus affecting DR Congo. Early laboratory and animal studies have suggested that it may offer some protection, making the planned clinical trial important for future treatment and vaccination decisions.
The WHO said the vaccine allocation was part of a wider international effort to strengthen the response. Health authorities are also working to improve disease surveillance, expand treatment capacity, engage affected communities and support safe burials as they try to prevent further transmission.
The outbreak has placed enormous pressure on DR Congo’s health system, particularly in areas affected by weak infrastructure and instability. International health organisations have warned that stronger support and resources are needed to bring the outbreak under control and prevent it from spreading further.
The arrival of the vaccines is therefore expected to provide an important boost to the country’s response. However, health officials will continue monitoring the outbreak closely while researchers study whether Ervebo can offer effective protection against the Bundibugyo strain.
