WHO creating global stockpile of Ebola vaccines to stamp out future outbreaks
The World Health Organization and partners said on Tuesday they are creating a global stockpile of Ebola vaccines to help stamp out future outbreaks.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
In a statement, WHO, Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said they were establishing an emergency reserve of about 500,000 doses; nearly 7,000 are available now and more will be added throughout the year and beyond.
Financial support for the vaccine stockpile was provided by the vaccines alliance GAVI.
The Ebola vaccine being stockpiled is made by Merck. Before it was licensed, the shot was used to previously help contain outbreaks in Guinea and Congo under a protocol for “compassionate use.”
Read more: UN chief visits Congo region hit by Ebola; pledges support
Other stockpiles managed by WHO and partners exist for diseases including meningitis and yellow fever.
The Ebola vaccines will be stored in Switzerland, where they will be ready to be shipped after WHO and partners receive a request from countries.
The agencies say any decision to release vaccines will be made within 48 hours of any such request and that the targeted delivery time is within one week.
The vaccines will be reserved for those at highest risk of being infected with Ebola during any epidemic, including those exposed to the disease and health workers treating patients and their contacts.
Also Read
-
Congo hit by second Ebola outbreak, adding to virus epidemic raging since 2018
Authorities in Congo announced a new Ebola outbreak in the western city of Mbandaka on Monday, adding to another epidemic of the virus that has raged ... World News -
How coronavirus-free Sierra Leone has learned from Ebola
Sierra Leone is one of those few countries where no coronavirus cases have been confirmed as of March 23, 2020.As a country which had borne the brunt ... Features -
First Ebola relapse recorded in Congo outbreak: WHO
Health officials in eastern Congo have documented the first relapse in the current Ebola epidemic, the World Health Organization said on Friday.The ... Healthy Living -
Japan launches human trial of new Ebola vaccine
Japanese scientists will begin the country’s first human trial for a new vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus this month, they said Friday.The ... Healthy Living -
UN says armed attacks in eastern Congo kill Ebola responders
The head of the World Health Organization says attacks by armed groups in eastern Congo have killed workers responding to the Ebola outbreak. He did ... News -
Three aid workers killed in S.Sudan, suspending Ebola screening: UN
Three aid volunteers working at Ebola screening points along the DR Congo border were killed in clashes in South Sudan, the International Organisation ... Middle East -
UN chief visits Congo region hit by Ebola; pledges support
The United Nations secretary-general has visited Congo’s eastern city of Beni, pledging solidarity as the region faces both extremist violence ... World News -
Ebola death toll in east Congo outbreak climbs above 2,000
The death toll from Democratic Republic of Congo’s year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,000, government data showed on Friday, as ... World News
