Ebola Vaccine to Be Tested in Humans
- By BSTQ Staff
With the spread of Ebola in West Africa on the rise, a vaccine developed by the National Institutes of Health began testing in humans in a Phase I clinical trial in September. If approved, the vaccine could be ready for use by mid to late 2015. However, even if deemed safe, it may not end the spread of Ebola.
During the trial, scientists will not expose the subjects to Ebola; instead, they will examine the subjects’ antibodies as they develop to see if their immune system creates defensive antibodies to fight Ebola the same way primate test subjects did. They also will monitor the subjects’ health to ensure the vaccine is safe to use. If the study goes well, a larger study will follow. Yet, despite the outcome of a larger study, the vaccine’s effectiveness in protecting people from the virus won’t likely be fully known until it’s tested in the field such as during an outbreak.
The Ebola virus spreads through bodily secretions, including blood and urine, making it particularly dangerous to those caring for Ebola patients. As of this writing, more than 4,000 people have died from the virus, according to the World Health Organization.
