Ebola vaccine stockpiles
The ICG manages the global stockpile of Ebola vaccine which was created as an additional tool to help control Ebola outbreaks. As Ebola outbreaks are relatively rare and unpredictable in nature, and due to limited vaccine quantities, the current Ervebo
vaccine is reserved for outbreak response to protect people at the highest risk of contracting Ebola – including health care and frontline workers in an outbreak – under a ring vaccination strategy.
An initial 6890 doses will be made available on a priority basis for outbreak response starting 12 January 2021. Depending on the rate of vaccine deployment, it could take 2 to 3 years to reach the SAGE-recommended level of 500 000 doses for emergency
stockpiles of vaccines. WHO, UNICEF, Gavi and vaccine manufacturers are continuously assessing options to increase vaccine supply in case global demand increases.
The ICG is working with partners and stakeholders to use Ervebo outbreak response vaccine in the context of an integrated Ebola outbreak response strategy based around early detection, contact tracing, case management, infection prevention and control measures, safe and dignified burials and raising awareness among the affected communities.
Accessing ICG vaccine stocks
To request access to ICG
stocks, national or international health authorities should submit an
application form to the ICG Secretariat (based
at WHO Geneva), or to an ICG member agency (IFRC, MSF, UNICEF, WHO) present in
the country. Requests are evaluated through a rapid consultation process taking
into account the epidemiological situation, vaccination strategy, pre-existing
stocks in the country and operational aspects of the outbreak response.
Countries are informed of an ICG decision within 48 hours.