The Africa CDC Ebola vaccine shortage has raised concerns over the response to the current outbreak after the agency’s Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said vaccine development had been affected by limited international support.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, Kaseya said partners had treated Ebola as an African problem. He argued that vaccine availability might have been different if the outbreak had occurred in Western countries.
“If this outbreak was in Western countries, vaccines would already be available,” he said.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Unlike the Zaire strain, which has an approved vaccine, Bundibugyo remains without a licensed vaccine.
Kaseya said the Africa CDC had begun efforts to test candidate vaccines, including one developed in Egypt. The agency is seeking support to advance research into vaccines and treatments for the strain.
The Africa CDC Ebola vaccine shortage comes as the outbreak spreads across several African regions. Data published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that, as of 20 October, the Democratic Republic of Congo had recorded 9,552 confirmed cases and 4,602 deaths. Nigeria has also confirmed an imported case. The World Health Organization said on 20 October that a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda had tested positive in Abuja.
Authorities identified 44 contacts for monitoring and began strengthening infection prevention measures at the health facility where she received care. The Bundibugyo outbreak has renewed calls for international support for research and outbreak control. However, the WHO says no licensed vaccine or approved treatment specifically targets the strain
