The four major international health and humanitarian organizations announced today the establishment of a global stock of Ebola vaccines to ensure an outbound response.
The effort to establish the stock collection was led by the International Coordinating Body (ICG) on Vaccine Supply, which includes the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, International Federation Red Cross and Red Cross Societies (IFRC), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), with financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Federation. The stock collection will allow countries, with the support of humanitarian organizations, to keep Ebola infections at bay in the future by ensuring timely access to vaccines for at-risk populations at times out.
The injectable single-dose Ebola vaccine (rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP, live) is manufactured by Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Corp. and developed with financial support from the United States of America (USA) government. . The European Medicines Agency approved the Ebola vaccine in November 2019, and the vaccine is now de-approved by WHO, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the eight African countries.
Prior to being licensed, more than 350,000 people in Guinea and the 2018-2020 Ebola uprising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were vaccinated under a “compassionate use” protocol.
The vaccine, recommended by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Vaccination for use in the Ebola outbreak will be part of a broader set of on – air response mechanisms. -out Ebola, protects against Zaire ebolavirus strains that typically cause outbreaks.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the incredible power of vaccines to save lives from deadly viruses. Ebola vaccines have prevented one of the most frightening diseases on earth. This new collection is a great example of intimacy, science and life-saving collaboration between international organizations and the private sector. “
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization
UNICEF manages the stock collection on behalf of the ICG which, like stocks of cholera, meningitis and yellow fever vaccines, acts as the decision-making body for its distribution and release.
The stock is stored in Switzerland and ready to be sent to countries for emergency response. The decision to administer the vaccine will be made within 48 hours of receipt of a request from a country; vaccines will be available along with an ultra-cold chain package by the manufacturer for deployment to countries within 48 hours of the decision. The total targeted delivery time from stock to countries is seven days.
“We are proud to be part of this unprecedented effort to help eradicate a potentially controllable Ebola outbreak quickly,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Managing Director. When it comes to disease control, preparation is essential. This collection of Ebola vaccine stock is a remarkable achievement – one that will allow us to deliver vaccines to those who need them as quickly as possible. “
As Ebola outbreaks are rare and unpredictable, there is no natural market for the vaccine. Vaccines are only available through the establishment of the stock and are available in very small quantities. The Ebola vaccine is reserved for outreach response to protect people most at risk of contracting Ebola – including health care workers and front line.
“This is an important milestone. Over the past decade, we have seen Ebola destroy communities in West and Central Africa, always affecting the poorest. and most vulnerable, “said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain. “Through each revolution, our volunteers have risked their lives to save lives. With this gathering, I hope the impact of this terrible disease will be greatly reduced.”
“Creating a collection of Ebola vaccine stock under the ICG is a positive step,” said Dr Natalie Roberts, Program Manager, MSF Foundation. “Vaccination is one of the most effective measures to address the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases, and Ebola is an exception. The collection of Ebola vaccine stock can increase clarity in the management of existing global stocks and use of the vaccine in good time where it is needed, something MSF has called for during a recent uprising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “
6890 original doses are now available for outgoing response and further quantities will be delivered to the stock store this month and throughout 2021 and beyond. Depending on the level of vaccine use, it could take 2 to 3 years to reach the 500,000 dose recommended by SAGE for the emergency stock of Ebola vaccines. WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and vaccine manufacturers are continually assessing options to increase vaccine supply if global demand increases.
Source:
World Health Organization