Ebola vaccine trials kick off in Liberia
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A LARGE-SCALE human trial of two potential Ebola vaccines got under way in Liberia’s capital Monrovia yesterday, part of a global effort to prevent a repeat of the epidemic that has now claimed nearly 9,000 lives in West Africa.
The trials in Liberia are taking place after smaller studies determined that the vaccines were safe for human use. By comparing them now with a placebo shot, scientists hope to learn whether they can prevent people from contracting the ghastly virus that has killed some 60 percent of those hospitalized with the disease.
Yet despite the trials’ promise, authorities still must combat fear and suspicion that people could become infected by taking part. Each vaccine uses a different virus to carry non-infectious Ebola genetic material into the body and spark an immune response.
Emmanuel Lansana, 43, a physician’s assistant, was the first to receive doses yesterday. Two shots were administered at different points on his right arm. His wife had expressed apprehension about the vaccine trial, but Lansana said he still wanted to take part.
“From the counselling, all of the reservations I have were explained, my doubts were cleared,” he said in a room where he was being observed for 30 minutes afterward.
Up to 600 volunteers are taking part in the first phase, and trial organizers have said eventually as many as 27,000 people could take part.
Meanwhile, a second British military healthcare worker has been flown back to England from Sierra Leone following the likely exposure to the Ebola virus, a government agency said.
Public Health England said yesterday that the worker had likely been exposed to the virus from a needle injury while treating a patient with Ebola. The worker has not been diagnosed with the virus and does not have any symptoms.
Another healthcare worker was flown back on Saturday following a similar injury and both are being tested at the Royal Free hospital in London.
Two other Britons have already been successfully treated at the Royal Free hospital for the virus and have been released.
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