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Oxford team accelerates experimental Ebola vaccine
Researchers at Oxford University are fast-tracking a new vaccine targeting the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with hopes of starting human trials within two to three months. The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has already resulted in 750 suspected cases and 177 deaths, prompting urgent action.
Outbreak escalates as WHO raises risk level
The World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the risk from "high" to "very high" in the Democratic Republic of Congo this week, while maintaining a low international risk. The outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern on Sunday, though WHO officials emphasized it does not yet qualify as a pandemic.
Vaccine technology repurposed from Covid research
The experimental vaccine uses the same ChAdOx1 platform developed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This adaptable technology allows scientists to quickly modify a harmless chimpanzee cold virus to carry genetic material from the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, training the immune system to recognize and combat the virus without causing infection.
"It's a highly adjustable system," explained Prof. Lambe, Calleva Head of Vaccine Immunology at the Oxford Vaccine Group. "We've already prepared it with genetic code specific to Bundibugyo."
Animal trials underway as production plans advance
Animal testing is currently being conducted in Oxford, though the WHO noted earlier this week that no data yet supports the vaccine's effectiveness. A spokesperson cautioned that timelines remain uncertain, depending on the outcomes of these trials.
The Serum Institute of India is prepared to mass-produce the vaccine once Oxford supplies medical-grade material. "Once we provide the starting material, they can scale up quickly and significantly," Prof. Lambe told BBC News.
Challenges of targeting a rare Ebola strain
The Bundibugyo strain, responsible for only two previous outbreaks in Uganda (2007) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (2012), has no proven vaccine. It kills roughly one-third of those infected, making it a critical target for intervention.
Unlike the more common Zaire strain, for which a vaccine exists, Bundibugyo has not been detected in over a decade. Another experimental vaccine for this strain is also in development but is not expected to be ready for testing for another six to nine months.
Targeted vaccination strategy planned
If approved, the vaccine would not be deployed en masse like Covid-19 vaccines. Instead, health authorities would use a "ring vaccination" approach, immunizing only those at highest risk, such as close contacts of infected individuals and healthcare workers treating patients.
Prof. Lambe emphasized the urgency of preparation: "People are understandably concerned. We're planning for the worst-case scenario-hoping containment measures like contact tracing and quarantine will suffice, but we can't afford to slow down."
Broader research efforts
The Oxford team had already been working on vaccines for the Sudan strain of Ebola and the Marburg virus, underscoring their broader focus on emerging infectious diseases.
