Top 5 Takeaways

1. Expanded Recommendations: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has expanded Ebola vaccination recommendations to include health care personnel at special pathogens treatment centers (SPTCs) and laboratorians and support staff at Laboratory Response Network (LRN) facilities.
2. High-Risk Populations: The expanded recommendations target those at high risk for potential occupational exposure to Ebola virus, enhancing protection for these critical groups.
3. Survey Results: Surveys showed that 54% of SPTC personnel and 59% of LRN personnel were willing to be vaccinated if eligible, with willingness increasing when an Ebola case is imported to the U.S. or their state.
4. Vaccine Efficacy and Safety: The decision to expand recommendations was based on documented protective efficacy, high mortality and transmissibility of Ebola virus, and an acceptable safety profile of the vaccine.
5. Ongoing Research: Research continues on the safety of the ERVEBO vaccine in special populations such as immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, and children, as well as long-term studies on immunogenicity and duration of protection.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Jason H. Malenfant, rix3@cdc.gov

Suggested Citation

Malenfant JH, Joyce A, Choi MJ, et al. Use of Ebola Vaccine: Expansion of Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices To Include Two Additional Populations — United States, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:290–292. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7108a2

Summary

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has expanded its recommendations for the ERVEBO Ebola vaccine to include health care personnel at special pathogens treatment centers (SPTCs) and laboratorians and support staff at Laboratory Response Network (LRN) facilities. This expansion aims to protect those at high risk for potential occupational exposure to Ebola virus. Surveys indicated a significant willingness among these groups to receive the vaccine, especially when an Ebola case is imported to the U.S. or their state. The decision was based on the vaccine’s documented efficacy, high mortality and transmissibility of the virus, and an acceptable safety profile.

Methods

From March 2020 to November 2021, the Ebola Vaccine Work Group met monthly to review evidence regarding the expansion of vaccination recommendations. They used the Evidence to Recommendations framework and conducted a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices survey among SPTC and LRN personnel to assess vaccine acceptability. The group also relied on GRADE evidence profiles to evaluate vaccine efficacy and safety.

Discussion

The expansion of vaccination recommendations to include SPTC and LRN personnel is based on the high risk of occupational exposure to Ebola virus in these groups. The survey results showed a considerable willingness to be vaccinated, which increased when an Ebola case is imported. The decision also considered the high mortality and transmissibility of Ebola virus, the severity of illness, and the vaccine’s safety profile.

Conclusion

Preexposure vaccination with ERVEBO is now recommended for additional high-risk groups, including health care personnel at SPTCs and laboratorians and support staff at LRN facilities. Ongoing research will continue to inform future recommendations, particularly for special populations and long-term protection.

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