On 8 December 2025, the University of Antwerp and the University of Kinshasa, respectively Sponsor and Principal Investigator of the Ebola vaccine trial (EBOVAC3), jointly organized a formal Dissemination Conference in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The event brought together relevant national health authorities, institutional stakeholders, and potential funders to discuss the results and policy implications of the Ebola vaccine trial.
The EBOVAC3 trial was conducted between December 2019 and October 2022 among approximately 700 health care providers and frontliners, a population at increased risk of contracting and transmitting Ebola virus disease. The primary and secondary objectives were to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen administered at a 56-day interval, as well as an Ad26.ZEBOV booster dose given after either one or two years. Overall, the results demonstrated that the vaccine regimen and booster were well-tolerated and induced a durable immune response in study participants.
During the conference, Prof. Van Geertruyden (University of Antwerp) and Prof. Zola Matuvanga (University of Kinshasa) presented the main scientific findings of the trial. Beyond the clinical results, their presentations emphasized the public health relevance of these findings, particularly the importance of prophylactic vaccination of health care providers as a key strategy to prevent and mitigate future Ebola outbreaks. Protecting frontline health workers not only reduces individual risk, but also strengthens health system resilience and outbreak preparedness in Ebola-prone regions.
The conference provided a platform for dialogue with national decision-makers and funding partners on how the trial results can inform future vaccination strategies, preparedness planning, and investment in preventive measures. By engaging policy actors and potential funders, the event aimed to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and public health action, contributing to informed decision-making and sustainable outbreak prevention efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.