A significant milestone has been achieved in the fight against Lassa fever, a deadly virus that poses a major public health risk. The Oxford Vaccine Group has vaccinated the first volunteer in a first-in-human trial of a Lassa vaccine, marking the beginning of a crucial step towards protecting vulnerable communities from the disease. The trial, funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), will assess the safety and immune response of the ChAdOx1 Lassa vaccine in 31 participants aged 18-55.

Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus, is primarily spread by rodents and can result in severe illness, including deafness, bleeding, and even death. The disease is endemic in West Africa, where it has been a major public health concern for decades. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Lassa fever as a priority pathogen in need of urgent research and development due to its potential to cause large outbreaks.

The vaccine being tested is made using the same viral vector platform as the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which has been estimated to have saved millions of lives worldwide. The development of the Lassa vaccine has been supported by CEPI, which has also backed the early preclinical development of the vaccine. According to experts, up to 700 million people could be at risk of Lassa fever by 2070, highlighting the need for a licensed vaccine or treatment.

The launch of the trial has been welcomed by health experts, who see it as a crucial step towards combating the disease. Professor Maheshi Ramasamy, Chief Investigator of the trial, noted that vaccines are a powerful tool in global health, saving lives and stopping outbreaks. The trial is part of a broader effort to develop a Lassa vaccine, with plans to advance the vaccine to licensure through regional leadership and coordination by the Lassa fever Coalition.

The Lassa fever Coalition, led by the West African Health Organization (WAHO), is working with vaccine manufacturers to accelerate the development and future introduction of Lassa fever vaccines across the affected region. The coalition’s efforts are seen as a key step towards defeating the disease, which has affected lives in West Africa for over half a century. With the launch of the trial, there is renewed hope that a vaccine against Lassa fever may soon be available, bringing relief to communities that have long lived in fear of the disease.