The key facts

  • The WHO approved trials of ChAdOx1 BDBV (Oxford and Serum Institute of India) and mRNA-1469 (Moderna) against the Bundibugyo virus
  • The epidemic has claimed more than 5,300 lives, with 10,444 confirmed cases and a fatality rate above 50%
  • The trial is being led by the National Institute for Biomedical Research of the DR Congo with WHO support

Two new vaccines added to trials

The World Health Organization has approved clinical trials of two new vaccine candidates against Ebola fever. The announcement was made by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who told journaliststhat the decision was taken against the backdrop of an ongoing outbreak in Africa that has, according to Africa CDC, claimed more than 5,300 lives.

Developed specifically for the Bundibugyo virus

The vaccines in question are ChAdOx1 BDBV, developed by the University of Oxford together with the Serum Institute of India, and mRNA-1469 from Moderna. According to Tedros, both vaccines were developed specifically for the Bundibugyo virus, which is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By contrast, the trials of the Ervebo vaccine, which began a month earlier, involve a drug approved for the Ebola virus but not for the Bundibugyo virus. The trial is being conducted by the National Institute for Biomedical Research of the DR Congo with support from partners, including the WHO.

The scale of the epidemic

According to figures announced by Africa CDC on Monday, the vast majority of the deaths occurred in the DR Congo. A total of 10,444 cases have been confirmed, with a fatality rate exceeding 50%. Tedros nevertheless stressed that vaccines are a