Oxford University scientists are fast-tracking development of a new Ebola vaccine, aiming for clinical trials within two to three months. This experimental vaccine targets the rare Bundibugyo strain, responsible for an ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has tallied 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths.
The Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which claims about a third of those infected, currently lacks a proven vaccine. Researchers are accelerating work on their candidate, though its effectiveness remains unconfirmed. Animal research and human trials are necessary to determine its efficacy.
Urgent Response to Rising Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently elevated the risk level for the current Ebola outbreak from “high” to “very high” within the Democratic Republic of Congo. The broader regional risk is also now considered high, while the international risk remains low. This upgrade follows the WHO's declaration of a public health emergency of international concern, emphasizing the outbreak is not a pandemic.
Oxford's vaccine utilizes the ChAdOx1 technology, the same platform employed during the Covid pandemic. This highly adaptable system can be quickly re-engineered to combat different infections. For this application, it incorporates genetic code from the Bundibugyo Ebola species. The vaccine employs a common cold virus, modified from chimpanzees, to safely deliver genetic material that trains the human immune system to recognize and fight the Ebola virus without causing infection.
Production and Deployment Strategy
The Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which claims about a third of those infected, currently lacks a proven vaccine.
The Serum Institute of India is poised to mass-produce the Ebola vaccine once Oxford can provide medical-grade starting materials. Professor Lambe, Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group, indicated the institute's capacity for rapid, large-scale production. The WHO suggests the vaccine could enter clinical trials within two to three months.
Unlike Covid-19 vaccines, Ebola vaccines are typically deployed via a “ring vaccination” strategy.
This approach immunizes individuals most likely to be infected, including close contacts of confirmed cases and healthcare workers. The current outbreak presents unique challenges due to the rarity of the Bundibugyo strain, which has only caused two previous outbreaks, both over a decade ago. A vaccine exists for the more common Zaire species, but not for Bundibugyo.
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