A new study reports that Merck’s Ebola vaccine provided 84% protection to people vaccinated during the 2018-2020 outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The vaccine’s effectiveness was lower than initially estimated, but still highly protective against developing Ebola virus disease. The study, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, was based on data collected during the outbreak. The vaccine, Ervebo, is one of only two licensed Ebola vaccines and is recommended for outbreak response due to its single-dose administration. Challenges in assessing vaccine effectiveness include cold-chain breakdowns and potential impact of patient HIV status. Despite not reaching the 90% effectiveness goal, experts view the vaccine as a very effective tool for outbreak management.
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Merck Ebola vaccine Ervebo shown to offer substantial protection
