FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE: Sierra Leone has officially launched its nationwide rollout of the single-dose Ebola vaccine, marking a historic milestone in West Africa’s battle against the deadly virus. The campaign, which began on Thursday in the capital city of Freetown, is the first of its kind in the region and aims to protect 20,000 front-line workers. This initiative is a collaboration between the Sierra Leonean government, the global vaccine alliance Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF.
The 2014 Ebola outbreak, the deadliest in history, ravaged West Africa, particularly affecting Sierra Leone, where nearly 4,000 lives were lost. In total, the outbreak claimed over 11,000 lives across the region and devastated healthcare systems, with 7% of the country’s health workforce perishing in the crisis. The new vaccination campaign aims to prevent a recurrence of such devastation, with authorities hopeful it will protect both healthcare workers and communities against future outbreaks.
Health Minister Austin Demby highlighted that the vaccine campaign represents a significant investment in public health and the future of Sierra Leone. Unlike during the 2014 outbreak, when no approved vaccine was available, this campaign comes with the benefit of proven protection. The outbreak, which spread from Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia, infected up to 28,000 people. Despite the lapse of three years since the last case in Guinea, concerns about the virus persist, especially in endemic regions.
For many residents, the campaign brings personal significance. Hassan Kamara, a Freetown resident, tragically lost nine relatives during the 2014 outbreak, with only he and his baby daughter surviving. Reflecting on the loss, Kamara expressed the emotional toll of the disease and the hope the new vaccine brings. Health workers, such as Collins Thomas from Freetown, who witnessed the harrowing effects of the outbreak firsthand, are particularly relieved by the availability of the vaccine, which provides much-needed protection.
Gavi’s Chief Executive, Sania Nishtar, praised the significance of the campaign, emphasizing the role of timely and equitable vaccine access in saving lives and safeguarding communities. With Sierra Leone being the country most affected by the 2014 outbreak, the rollout of this preventive vaccination is seen as a major step forward in the fight against Ebola.