Why Nova Scotia was chosen to test a new Ebola vaccine
Moderna has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial for a new Ebola vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain in Nova Scotia and Toronto. The sites were selected due to established partnerships and the region's expertise in vaccine research.
Why it matters
Developing vaccines for deadly outbreaks like Ebola is essential for global health security and emergency response.
A man walks past an Ebola awareness painting on a wall in downtown Monrovia, Liberia, in this file photo. (Ahmed Jallanzo/EPA - image credit) The first human trial of a new Ebola vaccine is underway at two sites in Nova Scotia as well as in Toronto.
The vaccine, created by Moderna, targets Bundibugyo Ebola virus, a deadly strain that has been surging in the Democratic Republic of Congo , causing more than 1,700 known deaths and 3,800 infections during the recent outbreak.
The first participant received the vaccine in Truro, N.S., on Monday. A total of 80 volunteers will receive the vaccine across the three sites, including Truro, Halifax and Toronto.
Hamilton Bennett, Moderna's executive director of health security, research and development and partnerships, told Radio-Canada that the three sites were chosen for the Phase 1 study because of the company's previous positive experiences working with partners there.
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