The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the vaccines would be evaluated during an active Bundibugyo outbreak for the first time.

The candidates are ChAdOx1, developed by the University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India, and mRNA-1469, developed by Moderna. “The fact that these vaccines are ready to enter clinical trials is a testament to the power of science and partnership,” WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

“Vaccines alone will not end this outbreak, but they could become a powerful new tool for bringing it under control.”

More than 10 500 confirmed infections and 5 126 deaths had been recorded in the DRC by November 1.

The outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo species, has continued for almost six months.

WHO is supporting the Tumaini multi-vaccine trial, which began in Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, on October 23. Tumaini means “hope” in Swahili.

The Ervebo vaccine, developed to protect against the Zaire Ebola species, is already being assessed to determine whether it offers protection against Bundibugyo Ebola.

The two new vaccine candidates will join the trial once national regulatory approvals have been secured.

Tumaini is designed to evaluate several candidates within one trial using a ring-vaccination approach.

The strategy focuses on people who have had contact with confirmed Ebola patients, along with other individuals linked to those contacts.

WHO and partners used the same approach during the West African Ebola outbreak a decade ago. A trial in Guinea later established the effectiveness of the Ervebo vaccine against Zaire Ebola.

Four vaccination rings have been established in the DRC, with several more being prepared.

Research into possible treatments is also progressing as health authorities and humanitarian partners work to contain transmission.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–