Oxford-developed Ebola vaccine given to Ugandan volunteers

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Ugandan volunteers received doses of an Oxford-developed Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine in early clinical safety trials.

The University of Oxford's Vaccine Group and Pandemic Sciences Institute have begun administering a Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine candidate to volunteers in Uganda. The first participants in the clinical safety study were vaccinated on 6 October in Masaka, west of Lake Victoria. This phase follows an earlier first-in-human trial launched in the UK, where the Oxford Vaccine Group vaccinated the first volunteer on 24 July, marking the first time the candidate had been given to a person.

The vaccine was developed in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with development beginning in May this year. The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in May. No licensed vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus currently exists. The research is led by Professor Teresa Lambe and Professor Simon Drysdale and is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

The early-stage trials will evaluate the vaccine's safety and its ability to stimulate an immune response in healthy adult volunteers. At this stage, the trials do not seek to determine whether the vaccine prevents infection or disease. Together, the studies form part of an international programme to address a significant gap in the medical response to Ebola outbreaks.

How it is being reported

• Oxford-developed Ebola vaccine administered to volunteers in UgandaUgandan participants in a clinical safety study received an Oxford-developed Ebola vaccine last week.Oxford Mail · 17 Oct, 05:00
• Oxford-developed Ebola vaccine administered to volunteers in UgandaUgandan participants in a clinical safety study received an Oxford-developed Ebola vaccine last week.Oxfordshire Guardian · 17 Oct, 05:00

In this story: University of Oxford · Pandemic Sciences Institute · Oxford Vaccine Group · Uganda · Masaka · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Teresa Lambe · Simon Drysdale

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