Anti-Ebola virus vaccine trials begin in Kilifi
What you need to know:
- The Kenya Medical Research Institute administered the first dose of the VSV-Ebola vaccine to a health worker on Wednesday.
- The vaccine was made by combining the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with a portion of a single protein covering the Ebola virus.
Tests on a vaccine being developed against the Ebola virus have started.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute administered the first dose of the VSV-Ebola vaccine to a health worker on Wednesday at the Kilifi County Hospital, it announced in a statement on Thursday.
The vaccine was made by combining the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with a portion of a single protein covering the Ebola virus. Thus, it can generate an immune response to Ebola.
Since it only contains an isolated component of the virus, it cannot cause a vaccinated individual to become infected with Ebola, or to test positive for it, according to the statement.
“While the vaccine trials are being fast-tracked, the safety of the volunteers will remain key,” said Kemri director Solomon Mpoke.
Researchers used seminars and information sheets to educate prospective study participants on potential risks.
The trials are part of a World Health Organisation-led project funded by the Welcome Trust. Dr Patricia Njuguna and Prof Philip Bejon are the principal investigators.
The research targets health workers due to their first-line contact with Ebola patients.