UK begins trials of Ebola vaccine developed in just eight weeks
Baku, July 13, AZERTAC
A new vaccine to tackle Ebola will now be tested on people after the UK regulator gave permission for trials to take place, according to BBC.
Scientists at the University of Oxford started developing the vaccine eight weeks ago when a public health emergency was declared on 17 May.
It is the first - out of four vaccines under development - to enter clinical trials.
Volunteers are being recruited, with the first doses expected to be given to healthy adults in the UK "within weeks".
The Ebola epidemic, centered on the Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed 625 people with 1,792 laboratory confirmed cases.
It is caused by the Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has started two outbreaks before.
The six different species of Ebola are known as "sisters rather than twins" because while they are similar, they need separate treatments and vaccines. It means there are no approved drugs or vaccines this time.
The outbreak is still not under control and is taking place in a conflict zone with very mobile populations – heightening the need for a vaccine to help stop the spread of disease.
The trial will be on 50 healthy adults aged 18-55. Researchers are also working with partners in Uganda to prepare for trials in Africa.
Volunteers will be monitored for a year, but scientists should know quickly whether the vaccine is producing the right kind of immune response or any unexpected side effects.
The vaccine does not cause an infection, but the piece of the genetic code starts producing one viral protein from Ebola inside the body.
This is enough to trigger the immune system to recognize a threat and mount an immune response.
That means the body should already have a head start if it encounters Ebolavirus for real.
The vaccine has been developed, tested on mice and macaque monkeys, and is being manufactured to a clinical standard by the Serum Institute of India. It has manufactured and stockpiled around 620,000 doses.
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