Uganda has launched a trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of the Ebola virus, following an outbreak in the country that has killed one person and infected two others. On February 3rd,the initial participant in the trial, who is currently in isolation, received a dose of the vaccine, which was developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative, a global non-profit organisation.
Uganda has begun a trial vaccination programme for the strain of Ebola viral infection that is behind the country’s latest outbreak, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), while the number of confirmed cases has risen to three. On February 3rd, Matshidiso Moeti, WHO director for Africa, said Uganda had also started a clinical trial of a vaccine against the Sudan strain of Ebola. Currently there is no approved vaccine for that strain. The existing vaccination is for the Zaire strain, which is behind a recent outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
This vaccination trial was launched in record time, just three days after the outbreak was declared, in full compliance with national and international regulatory and ethical requirements. This trial demonstrates the importance of investing in vaccine and treatment research and development, epidemic preparedness and partnerships.
TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, WHO Director-General – Ethiopia
The World Health Organization is collaborating with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, the Uganda Virus Research Institute, and the Makerere University Lung Institute to conduct the trial of the vaccine, which was developed by Merck and provided by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
We really commend the government of Uganda and its leadership,for having been able to facilitate the work that has gone on, to be able to launch this vaccine trial.
KASONDE MWINGA, WHO Officer – Uganda
Moreover, the East African country will have access to more than 2,000 doses of the candidate vaccine. The vaccine was provided by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), a global nonprofit. WHO is supporting Uganda’s response to the outbreak with a $1 million allocation from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies.