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Scientists race to develop Ebola vaccine amid DRC outbreak

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Scientists are fast-tracking vaccine development for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain currently circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Existing Ebola vaccines target a different strain, necessitating a new approach for the current outbreak.
  • Researchers are adapting a proven viral-vector platform, similar to the one used for the COVID-19 vaccine, to accelerate the development process.

Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are battling an ongoing Ebola outbreak, prompting scientists worldwide to accelerate vaccine development. The current outbreak, centered in the Ituri province, has claimed 61 lives and confirmed 359 cases in the DRC and neighboring Uganda. The Bundibugyo strain of the virus causing this outbreak is not targeted by the two approved Ebola vaccines, which are designed for the Zaire strain.

Researchers at the University of Oxford's Vaccine Group, Teresa Lambe and Rebecca Makinson, are developing a vaccine candidate specifically for the Bundibugyo virus. They are utilizing the ChADOx1 viral-vector platform, the same technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This approach builds on previous work from 2022 on another Ebola strain. Their efforts have received fast-track funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, alongside contributions from Moderna and IAVI.

Because we are using a platform technology where we have amassed a lot of knowledge around how to make these types of vaccines, we’re trying to run each of those different streams at the same time.

— Teresa LambeTeresa Lambe of the Oxford Vaccine Group explains the strategy for accelerating vaccine development.

Lambe explained the vaccine development process, which typically involves pre-clinical trials, animal testing, and manufacturing for human clinical trials. "Because we are using a platform technology where we have amassed a lot of knowledge around how to make these types of vaccines, we’re trying to run each of those different streams at the same time," she said. The team has begun testing on small animals and manufacturing vaccine batches, aiming for a phase one clinical trial "relatively soon, and certainly faster than you would routinely do."

Makinson noted that creating an Ebola vaccine is possible, but the challenge lies in the speed and efficiency of the process. The outbreak's spread is complicated by conflict, displaced populations, a large migrant community, and under-resourced health facilities in the Ituri province. The Red Cross has been involved in funeral services, including for Dr. Tibenderana Katho Blaise, who died of Ebola while working at a medical center in Hoho commune.

The question isn’t really whether we can make an Ebola vaccine because it’s very clear that’s possible.

— Rebecca MakinsonRebecca Makinson highlights the feasibility of creating an Ebola vaccine, pointing to the challenges of speed and deployment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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