DR Congo Ebola vaccine trial to begin within weeks: WHO
The World Health Organization announced that clinical trials for an Ebola vaccine will begin in the Democratic Republic of Congo by late October. The trial aims to test if the Ervebo vaccine provides cross-protection against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Why it matters
Addressing the Ebola outbreak is a critical global health priority, and these trials represent a significant step toward containing a deadly virus in a high-risk region.
The first clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine is expected to begin in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of October, World Health Organization experts said Tuesday.
The DR Congo's worst-ever Ebola outbreak has passed the 9,000-case mark, with the number of deaths exceeding 4,000.
Among the many challenges facing the response is the lack of any approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola behind the outbreak.
Ervebo, a vaccine approved for use against the more common Zaire strain of Ebola, will go through a full-scale human trial in the DRC to see if it offers any cross-protection against Bundibugyo.
"We have got strong reassurances that... it should be starting before the end of this month," said Anthony Scott, chair of the WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE).
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