The first participants have been vaccinated in a new Ebola vaccine trial in Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as scientists seek to identify potential vaccines against the Bundibugyo virus responsible for the ongoing outbreak.
The trial, named TUMAINI, a Swahili word meaning “hope,” is designed to establish whether vaccine candidates developed against the Bundibugyo virus can offer protection against the disease.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the development in a social media post, describing the trial as a significant step towards finding solutions to the outbreak.
“Science gives us hope,” Tedros said, confirming that the first participants had received vaccinations in the DRC-led initiative.
According to the WHO chief, there is currently no approved vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo virus, highlighting the need for research to identify effective preventive measures.
The trial will assess whether any of the vaccine candidates designed for the virus can provide protection, potentially contributing to future efforts to control outbreaks and save lives.
Tedros further revealed that the existing Ervebo vaccine, which is licensed for preventing Ebola virus disease caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, will also be tested as part of the research effort.
The WHO is supporting the DRC-led initiative, which aims to generate scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the vaccine candidates against the Bundibugyo virus.
The development comes amid continued efforts by health authorities and international partners to strengthen Ebola preparedness, improve disease prevention and limit the spread of infections.
The findings from the TUMAINI trial could help inform future decisions on vaccine use against the Bundibugyo virus, for which a specifically approved vaccine is currently unavailable.
