Freetown, Sierra Leone — A decade after the devastating Ebola outbreak that claimed thousands of lives in West Africa, Sierra Leone has launched a groundbreaking nationwide vaccination campaign to protect frontline workers from future outbreaks.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation commenced the rollout of the single-dose Everbo Ebola vaccine, marking the first preventive vaccination initiative of its kind in the region.
The campaign, running from December 5 to 15, aims to vaccinate 20,000 frontline workers, including healthcare professionals, military and police personnel, psychosocial support teams, traditional healers, and bike riders, across all 16 districts in the country.
“This is an investment in the safety of our people and a healthier Sierra Leone,” said Health Minister Austin Demby during the launch in Freetown.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between Sierra Leone’s government, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the global vaccine alliance Gavi. It symbolizes a significant step forward for a nation deeply impacted by the 2014 Ebola epidemic—the deadliest in history—which killed nearly 4,000 people in Sierra Leone and over 11,000 globally. The outbreak also claimed 7% of the country’s healthcare workforce.
Building Resilience
In 2014, the absence of an approved vaccine left healthcare workers vulnerable as they fought to contain the virus, which spread from neighboring Guinea to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Now, with the Everbo vaccine available, healthcare workers are optimistic about their safety and preparedness.
Collins Thomas, a community health worker who witnessed the devastation in 2014, expressed relief at the new measures. “It was terrifying back then because we didn’t understand the disease. With this vaccine, we know we’re protected,” he said.
Remembering the Past, Protecting the Future
The campaign holds deep significance for survivors of the 2014 outbreak, including Hassan Kamara, a Freetown resident who lost nine family members to the virus. “They died in front of me,” he recounted. “I feel bad talking about it, but this vaccine gives hope that others won’t have to go through what I did.”
A Milestone for Global Health
Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, hailed the campaign as a historic achievement. “To have the first nationwide preventive vaccination campaign in the country hardest hit by the 2014 outbreak makes this milestone even more meaningful,” she said.
The vaccine rollout underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to health security and resilience, setting an example for other nations at risk of future outbreaks. For the people of Sierra Leone, it is a step toward healing and a brighter, safer future.
