The Democratic Republic of the Congo has launched an Ebola vaccination campaign as health authorities step up efforts to contain the country’s deadliest recorded outbreak of the disease.
The vaccination drive officially began on Thursday in Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo Province, according to Health Minister Roger Kamba.
Healthcare workers and other people involved in the frontline Ebola response were among the first to receive the vaccine. Authorities are using the Ervebo vaccine, with priority also being given to people who have been in contact with Ebola patients.
Kamba said the strategy is intended to provide early protection to those at greatest risk while helping slow further transmission.
Outbreak Spreads Across Six Provinces
The outbreak has so far affected six provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tshopo, Haut-Uele and Bas-Uele.
Government figures showed that as of Tuesday, the country had recorded 5,713 confirmed Ebola cases, including 2,744 deaths. The fatality rate among confirmed cases was around 48%.
Health authorities are continuing surveillance, vaccination and other containment measures as they work to prevent the outbreak from spreading further.
