Two new candidate vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus, which has caused the current outbreak, have been recommended for inclusion in clinical studies. For the first time, the drugs will be tested directly in field conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Candidates for testing and the study protocol
The WHO independent advisory group on the prioritization of candidate vaccines recommended two drugs for further evaluation. These are the ChAdOx1 vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford together with the Indian Serum Institute, and the mRNA-1469 drug from the American company Moderna.
- ChAdOx1 vaccine
- Developed by the University of Oxford and the Indian Serum Institute
The trials will be conducted under a single protocol based on the experience of fighting the Ebola epidemic in West Africa ten years ago. Under this approach, a "ring vaccination" strategy will be used.
The significance of scientific progress
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that the readiness of the vaccines for clinical trials is the result of scientific progress and international cooperation. He also expressed gratitude to scientists, health workers, partners and study participants.
