Experts debate testing Merck’s Ervebo vaccine for DRC Ebola outbreak amid lack of approved shot
The Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed a new Ebola outbreak at the end of May, making it the fourth largest on record. The virus is spreading in a conflict-affected region, complicating containment efforts.
No vaccine currently targets the Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak. Merck’s licensed Ervebo vaccine is designed for the Zaire ebolavirus, but animal studies have hinted it might provide limited protection against Bundibugyo.
The World Health Organization and virology experts are weighing whether to deploy Ervebo while awaiting more data. An advisory panel meeting is set for Tuesday to discuss the possibility of using the existing vaccine as a stop-gap measure.
This writeup was produced by pharmadog from original reporting by STAT.
Original headline: “With no approved vaccine for Ebola outbreak, experts weigh testing a long shot”
read at STAT ↗
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