British scientists developing an Ebola vaccine using the same technology as the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for the DRC outbreak

The new vaccine is being developed by the Oxford Vaccine Group (OVG) using the ChAdOx1 platform, similar to the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca. The vaccine aims to counter the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare species, which has resulted in a massive outbreak with over 200 confirmed deaths. The DRC government has also banned commercial and private flights to and from Bunia to prevent border spread. The WHO declared the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.