Uganda Launches Historic Vaccine Trial to Combat Ebola Sudan Strain

Uganda has launched a historic vaccine trial in response to a recent Ebola outbreak caused by the Sudan strain of the virus. This marks the first-ever trial aimed at combating this deadly strain, which has caused significant concern in the country. The trial, which began just four days after the outbreak was confirmed on January 30th, is a joint effort involving the Ugandan Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), and several global health organizations.

The experimental vaccine being used for the trial was developed by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI). The vaccine is based on the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) platform, which has been used in previous Ebola vaccines for the Zaire strain, although the Zaire vaccine is not effective against the Sudan strain.

The Sudan strain of Ebola, which has no approved vaccine or treatment, poses a serious public health threat. Ebola Sudan has a high fatality rate, with the disease killing at least 40% of those infected. The previous outbreak of this strain in Uganda in 2022 resulted in over 70 deaths, underscoring the urgency of effective preventative measures.

The current outbreak has already led to one death and multiple confirmed cases, including a health worker who tragically passed away last week. As a result, the first phase of the vaccination effort will focus on 40 contacts and contacts of contacts of the first reported and confirmed case of the recent outbreak, a healthcare worker who died of Sudan Ebola, all of whom are at higher risk of infection.

While Uganda had access to the experimental vaccine during the 2022 outbreak, a randomized vaccine trial could not be initiated before the outbreak was declared over. This time, however, the trial is being launched without delay. In addition to the 2,160 doses of the vaccine that arrived in Kampala over the weekend, treatments and logistics have been arranged to ensure the trial's success.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, praised the speed and collaboration of the response, calling it a "critical achievement" in pandemic preparedness. The trial was prepared with remarkable efficiency, ensuring full compliance with national and international regulations. This rapid mobilization was made possible by advanced research preparedness, with vaccine doses pre-positioned in the country.

Mark Feinberg, president and CEO of IAVI, expressed gratitude for the collaboration between Ugandan health authorities and international partners in deploying the vaccine rapidly to combat this outbreak. "This clinical trial represents an important step toward evaluating the potential of IAVI’s vaccine to protect exposed individuals from Ebola Sudan infection," he said.

If the vaccine proves effective, it could not only help control the current outbreak but also serve as a key tool for future responses to Ebola Sudan outbreaks. The trial is also part of broader global efforts to develop vaccines for emerging infectious diseases, such as Lassa virus and others, using the rVSV platform.

The WHO and its partners are working to ensure that the trial is conducted according to rigorous standards. Researchers from the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and Makerere University Lung Institute are at the forefront of the trial, with ongoing support from international organizations like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA).

"This marks a major milestone in public health emergency response," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Regional Director for Africa. "If proven effective, the vaccine will further strengthen measures to protect communities from future outbreaks."

The trial’s outcome could play a crucial role in saving lives and enhancing global health security in the fight against the Ebola Sudan virus. With its promising start, Uganda is once again leading the way in rapid vaccine development and deployment in the face of an emerging public health crisis.