Rwanda Launches Trial Vaccination Drive Against Marburg Virus
Rwanda has kicked off a trial vaccination drive against Marburg virus, targeting healthcare workers and other high-risk individuals. The vaccination campaign, which began on October 6, aims to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, which has a mortality rate of up to 88 per cent.
The vaccine being used is an investigational vaccine manufactured by the Sabin Vaccine Institute, an American organization dedicated to making vaccines more accessible. The vaccine has undergone rigorous testing and has shown promising results in clinical trials.
According to the Ministry of Health, the Marburg virus vaccine has been tested in laboratory settings, in animals, and in humans since 2018. It has provided good data on its safety, tolerability, and immune response.
"We are launching a vaccination campaign against Marburg virus. We are starting with the population at the highest risks. We are talking about healthcare workers, people involved in rapid response and evacuation of patients," said Yvan Butera, the Rwandan Minister of State for Health.
The vaccine uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus called cAd3, which can no longer replicate or infect cells, and displays a specific protein found on the surface of Marburg virus to induce immune responses against the virus.
The initial shipment of approximately 700 doses of the investigational vaccine will be used in a trial targeting frontline workers, including healthcare professionals who have been hardest hit by the deadly virus.
The Sabin Vaccine Institute has also conducted Phase 2 trials in Uganda and Kenya, with no safety concerns reported to date. Interim results of the second phase are expected next year, and the organization plans to launch a similar Phase 2 trial in the US next year.
The Rwandan government has confirmed 49 cases of Marburg virus, with 12 deaths and 29 individuals in isolation and receiving treatment. The country’s Ministry of Health has confirmed that the vaccine has shown promising results in preventing the spread of the virus.
The Sabin Vaccine Institute’s vaccine development program is supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in the USA, which has obligated $235 million to the organization for advancing vaccine research and development against Sudan Ebolavirus and Marburg virus diseases.
The trial vaccination drive is a crucial step in the fight against Marburg virus, which has recently expanded its reach to new regions. The vaccine offers hope to control the spread of the virus and save lives.
