US scientists develop Ebola vaccine

Published November 28, 2014
White House press secretary Josh Earnest  speaks about the Ebola crisis at a press briefing at the White House.—AP/File
White House press secretary Josh Earnest speaks about the Ebola crisis at a press briefing at the White House.—AP/File

WASHINGTON: US scientists have successfully conducted the first human trial of an experimental Ebola vaccine, the White House announced on Thursday.

The trial has “shown initial promise to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus infection,” said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.

The vaccine was developed at the National Institutes of Health near Washington by a team of scientists led by Dr Francis Collins and Dr Anthony Fauci.

Know more: WHO ready to try new Ebola vaccine

The institute announced that all 20 healthy adults who received the vaccine in a trial run produced an immune response and developed anti-Ebola antibodies.

Two people developed a brief fever during the trial but none suffered serious side-effects.

Within NIH, the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline worked jointly to produce the vaccine.

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which has claimed more than 5,000 lives, persuaded the team to fast-track the process.

“Based on these positive results from the first human trial of this candidate vaccine, we are continuing our accelerated plan for larger trials to determine if the vaccine is efficacious in preventing Ebola infection,” said Dr. Fauci.

The volunteers aged 18 to 50 and were split into two groups. Half received an intramuscular injection of vaccine at a lower dose and 10 received the same vaccine at a higher dose. Both tests produced promising results.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

First steps
Updated 29 May, 2024

First steps

One hopes that this small change will pave the way for bigger things.
Rafah inferno
29 May, 2024

Rafah inferno

THE level of barbarity witnessed in Sunday’s Israeli air strike targeting a refugee camp in Rafah is shocking even...
On a whim
29 May, 2024

On a whim

THE sudden declaration of May 28 as a public holiday to observe Youm-i-Takbeer — the anniversary of Pakistan’s...
Afghan puzzle
Updated 28 May, 2024

Afghan puzzle

Unless these elements are neutralised, it will not be possible to have the upper hand over terrorist groups.
Attacking minorities
28 May, 2024

Attacking minorities

Mobs turn into executioners due to the authorities’ helplessness before these elements.
Persistent scourge
Updated 29 May, 2024

Persistent scourge

THE challenge of polio in Pakistan has reached a new nadir, drawing grave concerns from the Technical Advisory Group...