(MENAFN- QNA) An experimental Ebola vaccine has shown promise in a trial involving monkeys.
Based on the results of that trial, a two-shot version of the vaccine - which includes a "primer" that jumpstarts the immune system before the Ebola vaccine is given - is now being tested for the first time in humans, said Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
"This is the animal study version of that vaccine," Fauci said of the monkey trial. "This vaccine looked very good in animal studies. It protected monkeys from a lethal challenge of Ebola."
Fauci said the human trial is being done to find out if the vaccine is safe and if the people who get the vaccine create antibodies to the virus.
Two women were given the experimental vaccine last week as the US National Institutes of Health launched a much-anticipated trial to combat the often-lethal Ebola virus that has plagued four West African nations.
The women, ages 39 and 27, were the first people to receive the vaccine. The human trial will eventually include 20 men and women ages 18 to 50. No one will be infected with the disease. The vaccine was developed by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and drug maker GlaxoSmithKline.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.