A worker closes an ultra-low-temperature freezer containing doses of experimental Ebola virus vaccine at the headquarters of public health organization National Medical Stores in Entebbe, Uganda, Dec. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Hajarah Nalwadda)
ENTEBBE, Uganda, December 8 (XINHUA) — Uganda received 1,200 doses of experimental Ebola vaccine on Thursday to be administered as part of a clinical trial to combat the Sudanese strain of the Ebola virus, which hit the country in September .
Ugandan Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng received the doses from the World Health Organization (WHO) at an event held at the headquarters of the public health organization National Medical Stores, 40km south of the capital Kampala.
According to the minister, even if the vaccine comes at a time when the Ebola epidemic is receding, research will continue to ensure that the country is ready in case of a resurgence of the virus.
Charles Njuguna, incident director for the WHO country office in Uganda which distributed the vaccines, said they were being tested in preliminary studies to determine their efficacy and safety.
“The people most at risk, immediate contacts of a person diagnosed with Sudan strain disease, will be administered,” Njuguna said, adding that participation in the clinical trial will be voluntary and free.
He assured that the arrival of the experimental vaccine does not interfere with other measures implemented by the country to contain the epidemic.
Since Uganda declared an Ebola epidemic on Sept. 20, there have been 142 confirmed cases and 55 deaths, according to WHO data. To date, nine districts have been affected but three of them have already gone 42 days without new cases, after which an area can be declared Ebola-free if no cases are reported.
According to Ms. Aceng, Uganda is still applying the Ebola response mode, which will end on January 10th. If no cases are reported, WHO will declare the country Ebola-free on Jan. 11, she noted, adding that intense surveillance would continue for 90 days after such a declaration.
A worker opens an ultra-low-temperature freezer containing doses of experimental Ebola virus vaccine at the headquarters of public health organization National Medical Stores in Entebbe, Uganda, Dec. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Hajarah Nalwadda)
A worker locks an ultra-low-temperature freezer containing doses of experimental Ebola virus vaccine at the headquarters of public health organization National Medical Stores in Entebbe, Uganda, Dec. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Hajarah Nalwadda)
