Sabin Vaccine Institute Contributes to Report on Fast-Tracking the Development of Ebola Vaccines
As experimental Ebola vaccines start to head toward large clinical trials in Africa, a report released by Wellcome Trust and the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) presents a roadmap for providing a safe and effective vaccine to help stop West Africa’s Ebola epidemic.
Titled “Fast-Track Development of Ebola Vaccines: Principles and Target Product Criteria,” the interim report draws upon the expertise of the Ebola Vaccine Team B – a group of 26 international health experts, including Jon Andrus, Executive Vice President of the Sabin Vaccine Institute – seeking to bring an end to the Ebola epidemic and better prepare the world for future epidemics.
As the report states, the availability of an effective and safe Ebola virus vaccine will be a crucial component of an integrated control approach that includes traditional public health measures, medical treatment and community interventions. In order to bring an Ebola vaccine to market, an unprecedented public-private effort is required.
The framework developed by Ebola Team B will support current efforts to develop a vaccine, and can also provide a model for other emerging diseases, with a focus on preparedness, responsiveness and rapid early engagement.
The 14-point framework provides solutions for various challenges such as the possible changing epidemiology of the Ebola virus, sustained funding for vaccines, community engagement, clinical trial design, regulation and licensure, manufacturing capacity and vaccination strategies.
To read the full report, click here.
Photo by NIAID
