Oxford University to test new Ebola vaccine

Oxford University is set to begin clinical trials for a new Ebola vaccine, developed swiftly by its scientists to combat the deadly virus. The vaccine targets the Zaire ebolavirus strain, which has been circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This rapid development leverages the same technology employed in the successful Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, potentially allowing for quick scaling if proven effective.

The initial phase of the trial will involve 50 healthy volunteers in the UK, aged between 18 and 55. Researchers will assess the vaccine's safety and its ability to stimulate an immune response. The volunteers will be monitored for a year, though scientists anticipate gaining crucial insights into the vaccine's protective capabilities in a shorter timeframe.

To expedite the potential deployment of the vaccine, a stockpile of approximately 620,000 doses of the 'ChAdOx1 hMPXV' vaccine has been created for future use. Furthermore, around 4,000 experimental doses are available for the Oxford trial. In parallel, researchers are collaborating with partners in Uganda to prepare for clinical trials on the African continent, aiming to provide a vital tool against future Ebola outbreaks.