Two new Ebola vaccines to join Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) clinical trial
The World Health Organization has recommended two new vaccine candidates, ChAdOx1 and mRNA-1469, for clinical trials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to combat the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. These vaccines will be tested under the 'Tumaini' trial to help control the largest outbreak of this specific virus in the country's history.
Why it matters
Expanding vaccine options is a vital step in managing deadly viral outbreaks and preventing further loss of life in the DRC.
The announcement by the UN World Health Organization ( WHO ) follows the recommendation of its independent Technical Advisory Group on Candidate Vaccines Prioritization.
This will mark the first time that vaccines specifically designed for Bundibugyo virus will be evaluated during an outbreak of the disease.
“The fact that these vaccines are ready to enter clinical trials is a testament to the power of science and partnership,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
He stressed that while vaccines alone will not end the outbreak, “they could become a powerful new tool for bringing it under control”.
The two vaccine candidates are ChAdOx1, developed by the University of Oxford with the Serum Institute of India, and mRNA-1469, developed by the American pharmaceutical and biotech company Moderna.
WHO convened the expert group which this week recommended them for further clinical evaluation, based on available evidence.
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