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Ebola Vaccine Development
Investigators at the Vaccine Research Center, with scientific collaborators at the US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have developed a potentially effective vaccine strategy for Ebola virus infection in non-human primates. In November of 2003, the VRC initiated the first human trial of a DNA vaccine designed to prevent Ebola infection. In addition, the VRC is currently testing a fast-acting candidate Ebola vaccine that protects monkeys exposed to the virus one month after immunization. Such a vaccine would be especially useful in an acute outbreak setting. If this vaccine proves similarly effective in humans, it could one day be used to quickly contain Ebola outbreaks with ring vaccination-the same strategy used in the past against smallpox. A 2nd generation product may also be evaluated that would potentially provide coverage for Marburg and possibly Lassa virus.

Related Links

NIH press release - November 18, 2003
The first human trial of a vaccine designed to prevent Ebola infection opened today. NIAID Ebola Vaccine Enters Human Trial.

NIH press release - August 6, 2003
A single shot of a fast-acting, experimental Ebola vaccine successfully protects monkeys from the deadly virus after only one month. Fast-Acting Ebola Vaccine Protects Monkeys.

NIH press release - November 29, 2000
This study describes the first primate model of immune protection against Ebola virus, a model that may allow scientists to rationally design a vaccine that prevents this dreaded disease in humans. Novel Vaccine Protects Monkeys from Ebola Infection.