This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On Sunday, Rwanda launched a voluntary Ebola vaccination program at its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, aiming to prevent the spread of the deadly virus from its neighbor.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised all countries in high-risk areas, even if not hit by Ebola, to use a new vaccine developed by US group Johnson & Johnson.
According to Rwanda's health minister, Diane Gashumba, the vaccine will protect those with high chances of getting in contact with people living in areas where Ebola has been reported to be active.
The vaccine, Ad26-ZEBOV-GP, is an experimental drug produced by US pharmaceuticals giant, Johnson & Johnson. It was first used in mid-November in Goma, DR Congo, on the other side of the border.
So far, there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Rwanda.
The epicenter of the outbreak in DR Congo, which has killed more than 2,200 people since August 2018, is located 350 kilometers north of Goma, in the Beni-Butembo region.
People working in the health sector, at border crossings, police officers, and business executives who frequently travel between the two countries are being given priority in the vaccination campaign.
However, all residents in the border districts can ask to be vaccinated if they wish.
"We lived in a life of worry because of what was going on in DR Congo," said Joel Ntwari Murihe, one of the first Rwandans to be vaccinated. "It caused a lot of border disruptions as we were restricted to buying or selling with DR Congo residents who live in Goma. The vaccine is an assurance to the safety for our lives and our children's lives."
"We lived in a life of worry because of what was going on in DR Congo," said Joel Ntwari Murihe, one of the first Rwandans to be vaccinated. "It caused a lot of border disruptions as we were restricted to buying or selling with DR Congo residents who live in Goma. The vaccine is an assurance to the safety for our lives and our children's lives." — Joel Ntwari Murihe, first Rwandan to be vaccinated
