FREETOWN, Dec 12 (AGCNewsNet) – Sierra Leone has commenced a nationwide Ebola vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 20,000 frontline workers, including healthcare providers, traditional healers, community health personnel, and others.

The initiative, supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision, marks a significant step in safeguarding health workers and improving preparedness for future outbreaks.

Using the ERVEBO vaccine, which offers near-total protection against the Ebola virus and has been administered to over 500,000 people globally, the campaign targets 16 districts. Key participants include laboratory personnel, motorcycle taxi drivers, and security forces involved in outbreak responses.

Dr. George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone, emphasized the campaign's importance:

“This campaign is crucial for reducing the risks healthcare workers face when treating undiagnosed cases of Ebola. By vaccinating these frontline workers, we can potentially break chains of transmission and prevent outbreaks from escalating.”

The 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola outbreak claimed nearly 4,000 lives in Sierra Leone, with healthcare workers among the most affected. The country has since fortified its health systems and outbreak response mechanisms, using lessons from that period.

In addition to the current campaign, Sierra Leone has systems in place to rapidly deploy vaccines to the public during future outbreaks. A global vaccine stockpile managed by the International Coordinating Group ensures timely delivery for swift epidemic responses.

This vaccination drive reinforces Sierra Leone's commitment to preventing a resurgence of Ebola and ensuring the safety of those at the frontline of healthcare.

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