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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.
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