Ebola vaccine trial begins in DR Congo
The outbreak response has been hampered by the lack of approved treatments for the Bundibugyo strain, with the Ervebo vaccine to be tested for potential cross-protection.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's ongoing Ebola outbreak has surpassed 9,700 cases, with death tolls exceeding 4,600. The DR Congo has faced challenges due to the absence of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. The first clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine in the outbreak has commenced, led by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Ervebo vaccine, approved for the more common Zaire strain, will be tested through a full-scale human trial in the DRC. The trial, named Tumaini, which means "hope" in Swahili, will assess whether the vaccine provides any cross-protection against the Bundibugyo virus. Two Bundibugyo-specific candidate vaccines are also being tested in the trial.
The trial employs a ring vaccination approach, immunizing high-risk contacts. It will include pregnant women and children aged 12 years and older, generating evidence for populations often excluded from clinical trials. If successful, this trial would provide the first evidence of vaccine efficacy against the Bundibugyo virus, potentially transforming outbreak response and future preparedness.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 5 other outlets
- Ebola vaccine trial begins in DR Congo freemalaysiatoday.com
- WHO says first Ebola vaccine shots given in DR Congo trial as cases pass 9,700 malaymail.com
- Ebola vaccine trial begins in DR Congo nst.com.my
- Ebola vaccine trial begins in DR Congo lemonde.fr
- WHO announces start of Ebola vaccine clinical trial in DR Congo aljazeera.com
