· To ensure quick outbreak response for Ebola, four leading international health and humanitarian organizations have announced the establishment of a global Ebola vaccine stockpile.
· Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Corp is the manufacturer of the injectable single-dose Ebola vaccine (rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP, live).
To ensure quick outbreak response for Ebola, four leading international health and humanitarian organizations have announced the establishment of a global Ebola vaccine stockpile. The initiative is led by the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision and includes the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) with financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The stockpile is expected to ensure timely access to vaccines for countries with populations at risk.
Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Corp is the manufacturer of the injectable single-dose Ebola vaccine (rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP, live). The vaccine was developed with financial assistance from the government of the United States of America (USA). The vaccine was licensed by The European Medicines Agency in November 2019.It is also prequalified by WHO, and licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration as well as in eight African countries.The vaccine, recommended by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), protects against the Zaire ebolavirus species which is most commonly known to cause outbreaks.
UNICEF will manage the stockpile on behalf of the ICG and will be the decision-making body for its allocation and release. To be stored in Switzerland the vaccine will be delivered with ultra-cold chain packaging for shipment to countries within 48 hours of receiving a request from a country. The Ebola vaccine is to protect people at the highest risk of contracting Ebola – including healthcare and frontline workers.
