First Human Testing Begins for Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine

The world’s first clinical trial of a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has begun, marking a milestone in efforts to contain an outbreak that has killed more than 700 people in central Africa. 

The early-stage trial will enroll 50 healthy adults to assess the vaccine’s safety and immune response. 

The Serum Institute of India said it has already manufactured and stockpiled about 620,000 doses of the experimental shot in anticipation of later-stage trials and potential emergency use if it proves effective. It’s supplied



4,000 doses for the phase-1 study, the company said.

Quickly identifying Ebola cases and tracing their contacts would reduce deaths more than vaccinating only patients’ contacts — a strategy known as ring vaccination — if the existing Ebola vaccine provides only limited protection against the Bundibugyo strain, according to a modeling study released ahead of peer review and publication on Monday. 

Vaccinating broader communities would have the greatest effect if it could be done rapidly and at sufficient scale, the researchers found.