[The Ebola virus devastated west Africa in 2014, claiming over 11,000 lives in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. The largest Ebola outbreak since the virus was discovered in 1976, it highlighted the critical gap in global preparedness for infectious diseases, particularly the absence of effective vaccines.
In 2014, Ebola claimed a 28-year-old mother’s life, leaving her five-year-old daughter, Ashanti, with a profound message: “People need you to support them. If you don’t go, who will?” Her words that strengthened my resolve as I led the laboratory operations of the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine trials.
Without approved vaccines or drugs, a rapid and safe clinical trial was necessary. More than 10,000 participants were enrolled, involving over 500 scientists and healthcare workers. The trials spanned two years, with challenges including setting up a full laboratory within a week, navigating vaccine hesitancy among the population, and the fear of getting infected.
Collaboration between the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and local health authorities was pivotal in the success of the vaccine trials. As a field coordinator, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of conducting research into the safety of the vaccine in the midst of an outbreak.
The preliminary results of the trial were announced on August 18, 2015, marking a turning point in the fight against Ebola. The vaccine’s near-perfect efficacy offered a rare moment of hope.
Today, Sierra Leone is employing a nationwide campaign with the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, known as Ervebo, to target 20,000 frontline workers in 16 districts. The vaccine works by using a modified virus to produce antibodies against Ebola, equipping the immune system to recognize and neutralize the virus upon exposure.
The vaccine, developed by Merck, has shown efficacy exceeding 95% in preventing infection from the Zaire Ebola virus strain, the deadliest variant. It has been deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak, and in preventive vaccination campaigns in Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda.
However, success depends on ensuring equitable access, strengthening healthcare systems, and addressing limitations in vaccine supply, logistical hurdles, and vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation. Establishing local vaccine manufacturing in Africa and integrating vaccination, surveillance, outbreak response, and community engagement are essential for long-term control.
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