The World Health Organization has approved clinical trials for two new Ebola vaccines designed specifically for the Bundibugyo strain. This development is a major breakthrough in the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has claimed over 5,300 lives. The approval was announced by WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at a news conference in Geneva.
The two vaccines, ChAdOx1 BDBV and Moderna's mRNA-1469, were recommended for trials by WHO expert groups on Monday. ChAdOx1 BDBV was developed by the University of Oxford with the Serum Institute of India, while mRNA-1469 was developed by Moderna. The trials will be conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, led by the DRC's National Institute for Biomedical Research, and sponsored by WHO and partner bodies.
Until now, there has been no vaccine or treatment designed specifically for the Bundibugyo strain, which has a fatality rate of about 50 percent. The only trial running since last month used Ervebo, a vaccine made for the Zaire strain. The new vaccine trials are expected to provide critical information on the efficacy and safety of these vaccines in fighting the Bundibugyo strain.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 10,444 cases of Bundibugyo, mostly in DRC. The outbreak has also spread to neighboring countries, with Kenya reporting nine cases, including two deaths, and Nigeria reporting one case. The Africa CDC has been working closely with WHO and other partner bodies to contain the outbreak.
A British healthcare worker infected with Ebola is being evacuated from the DRC to the United Kingdom for specialist treatment. This development highlights the risks faced by healthcare workers in the frontline of the Ebola response and the need for effective vaccines and treatments to protect them.
The results from the new vaccine trials are expected in early 2027. WHO and partner bodies are working together to ensure that the vaccines are safe and effective in fighting the Bundibugyo strain. The approval of these trials is a significant step towards addressing the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected countries.
The World Health Organization has been working closely with the Democratic Republic of Congo and other affected countries to contain the Ebola outbreak. The organization has been providing technical assistance, vaccines, and other support to the affected countries. The approval of the two new Ebola vaccines is a major breakthrough in the fight against the outbreak.
Key points
- WHO approves clinical trials for two new Ebola vaccines designed for Bundibugyo strain
- Trials to be conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo, led by DRC's National Institute for Biomedical Research
- Results from new vaccine trials expected in early 2027
Reporting sources
- WHO approves trials for two new Ebola vaccines · P.M. News
