The World Health Organisation (WHO) has cautioned against assuming that Ervebo®️, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, can protect people against the Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) amid the ongoing outbreak.
Gatekeepers News reports that in its updated emergency guidance, the WHO said available evidence from animal studies, immunological research and observations suggests that Ervebo®️ may provide some level of cross-protection against BDBV.
However, the agency said the evidence is not yet sufficient to determine whether the vaccine provides meaningful protection against the virus in humans.
The WHO therefore recommended that any use of Ervebo®️ against BDBV should be conducted under research protocols, particularly through a ring randomised controlled trial designed to generate reliable data on the vaccine’s effectiveness.
The agency stressed that established outbreak-control measures should continue while research into the vaccine’s potential protection is ongoing.
The WHO also called for clear and transparent communication about the uncertainty surrounding Ervebo®️’s effectiveness against BDBV to prevent the public from assuming that vaccination provides confirmed protection.
It further urged the accelerated development of vaccines specifically targeting BDBV, alongside other medical countermeasures to strengthen the response to outbreaks caused by the virus.
