First human trials of new Ebola vaccine begin at Oxford University

• The University of Oxford is set to begin trials for a new Ebola vaccine designed to combat the Bundibugyo strain, behind an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• The initial Phase I trial will involve 50 healthy adults aged 18 to 55 in the UK to assess the vaccine's safety and immune response.
• The vaccine, known as ChAdOx1 BDBV, uses the same technology as the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, meaning it could be ready for deployment within weeks.
• Over 620,000 doses have already been stockpiled to support potential future deployment, and researchers are preparing for subsequent trials in Africa.
• This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in Congo, with over 1,800 confirmed cases and 600 deaths, and unlike other strains, there are currently no approved drugs or vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain.

IN FULL

Oxford University begins human trials of new Ebola vaccine to combat fast-spreading Bundibugyo strain