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Published on: September 27, 2014
Implementation of a Large-Scale Ebola Vaccination Campaign in Rwanda
Rosine Ingabire1, Julien Nyombayire1, Felix Sayinzoga2
1Center for Family Health Research, Kigali P.O. Box 780, Rwanda.
Vaccines
|July 27, 2026
Summary
A large-scale Ebola vaccination campaign in Rwanda demonstrated high adherence, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Engaging local organizations and leaders proved crucial for this successful public health initiative.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Vaccinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) poses a significant public health threat in sub-Saharan Africa.
- The 2018-2020 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prompted Rwanda's Ministry of Health to implement a large-scale vaccination campaign.
- The campaign utilized a two-dose Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo regimen, executed by local partners: the Center for Family Health Research and Rinda Ubuzima, in collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Center.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and adherence of a large-scale Ebola vaccination campaign in Rwanda.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo vaccination regimen in a real-world setting.
- To identify factors influencing adherence to the two-dose vaccination schedule.
Main Methods:
- The campaign targeted individuals residing near or crossing the Rwanda/DRC border and unvaccinated first responders.
- Exclusion criteria included children under 2 years and pregnant women.
- Data were collected on vaccination uptake, demographics, and reasons for non-adherence between December 2019 and September 2021.
Main Results:
- Over 216,000 individuals received the first dose of the Ebola vaccine, with 94.1% receiving the second dose.
- Adults (51.2%) and children (48.8%) were vaccinated, with a slight majority of women (54.6%) receiving the first dose.
- Factors associated with lower adherence for the second dose included being older, male, residing in Rubavu district, or living in an urban area. Pregnancy was a primary reason for ineligibility for the second dose.
Conclusions:
- Large-scale vaccination campaigns are feasible, even in remote areas and amidst concurrent public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and local leadership were pivotal to the campaign's success.
- Further research is needed to understand non-adherence and to develop strategies, such as integrating family planning services, to minimize second-dose ineligibility due to pregnancy.
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