Ebola vaccine hope after successful animal study

Conclusion This study has shown the potential of a new vaccine for Ebola virus in chimpanzees. Interest in the quest for a vaccine is seen as urgent, due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. Animal studies such as this are needed to ensure that any new vaccines are safe, and that they look like they will have an effect. Macaques were used for this research because they, like humans, are primates – therefore, their responses to the vaccine should be similar to what would be expected in humans. Now that these tests have shown promising results, the first human trials have started in the US, according to reports by BBC News. These trials will be closely monitored to determine the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in humans as, unfortunately, this early success does not guarantee that it will work in humans. Given the ongoing threat of Ebola, this type of vaccine research is important to protect against infection. Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter. Join the Healthy Evidence forum. Links To The Headlines Hopes raised as Ebola vaccine protects monkeys for 10 months. The Guardian, September 7 2014 Vaccine gives monkeys Ebola immunity. BBC News, September 7 2014 Breakthrough as experimental Ebola vaccines protect monkeys from epidemic for 10 months. Mail Online, September 7 2014 Links To Science Stanley DA, Honko AN, Asiedu C, et al. Chimpanzee adenovirus vaccine generates acute and durable protective immunity aga...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Medication Source Type: news