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Peer-reviewedCC BYFrontiers in public health

The vaccination paradox: how East Africa’s success in Ebola vaccine preparedness may be creating new public expectations for future outbreaks

  • Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu1
  • Chinyere Nneoma Ugwu1
  • Godson Emeka Anyanwu2
  • Mariam Basajja1
  • Maryann Chiamaka Ebuoh3
  1. 1Department of Research, Publication and Extension, Kampala International University , ,
  2. 2Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University , ,
  3. 3Department of Human Anatomy, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences , , ,
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Abstract

This perspective synthesizes published evidence on Ebola vaccination and outbreak preparedness in Africa. Successful vaccination against Zaire ebolavirus has strengthened vaccine-based outbreak control but may also create a preparedness risk when public expectations exceed species-specific vaccine availability. We propose the Vaccine Expectation Gap, Vaccine Anticipation and Species-Specific Vaccine Literacy as linked, hypothesis-generating constructs, supported by a Preparedness Trust Contract for practical implementation. The framework draws on expectation-disconfirmation and crisis and emergency risk communication theories and distinguishes established evidence from interpretation and testable hypotheses. Recent Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus outbreaks illustrate the relevance of this gap because licensed vaccines remain species-specific. Evidence is concentrated in Uganda, making broader East African application a hypothesis requiring empirical testing. If validated, the framework could strengthen risk communication, community trust and regional health-security planning.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{ugwu2026vaccination,
  title = {{The vaccination paradox: how East Africa’s success in Ebola vaccine preparedness may be creating new public expectations for future outbreaks}},
  author = {Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu and Chinyere Nneoma Ugwu and Godson Emeka Anyanwu and Mariam Basajja and Maryann Chiamaka Ebuoh},
  journal = {Frontiers in public health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1899575},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13672534},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The vaccination paradox: how East Africa’s success in Ebola vaccine preparedness may be creating new public expectations for future outbreaks
AU  - Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu
AU  - Chinyere Nneoma Ugwu
AU  - Godson Emeka Anyanwu
AU  - Mariam Basajja
AU  - Maryann Chiamaka Ebuoh
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/02
JO  - Frontiers in public health
DO  - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1899575
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13672534
AB  - This perspective synthesizes published evidence on Ebola vaccination and outbreak preparedness in Africa. Successful vaccination against Zaire ebolavirus has strengthened vaccine-based outbreak control but may also create a preparedness risk when public expectations exceed species-specific vaccine availability. We propose the Vaccine Expectation Gap, Vaccine Anticipation and Species-Specific Vaccine Literacy as linked, hypothesis-generating constructs, supported by a Preparedness Trust Contract for practical implementation. The framework draws on expectation-disconfirmation and crisis and emergency risk communication theories and distinguishes established evidence from interpretation and testable hypotheses. Recent Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus outbreaks illustrate the relevance of this gap because licensed vaccines remain species-specific. Evidence is concentrated in Uganda, making broader East African application a hypothesis requiring empirical testing. If validated, the framework could strengthen risk communication, community trust and regional health-security planning.
SN  - 2296-2565
ER  -