A LARGE-SCALE human trial of two potential Ebola vaccines is under way in Liberia’s capital, as part of a global effort to prevent a repeat of the epidemic that has now claimed nearly 9000 lives in West Africa.
THE trials in Liberia are taking place after smaller studies determined that the vaccines were safe for human use. By comparing them now with a placebo shot, scientists hope to learn whether they can prevent people from contracting the ghastly virus that has killed some 60 per cent of those hospitalised with the disease.
Yet despite the trials’ promise, authorities must still combat fear and suspicion that people could become infected by taking part. Each vaccine uses a different virus to carry non-infectious Ebola genetic material into the body and spark an immune response. On Sunday, in one densely populated neighbourhood of Monrovia, musicians sang songs explaining the purpose and intent of the trial in a bid to dispel fears. B Emmanuel Lansana, 43, a physician’s assistant, was the first to receive doses on Monday. Two shots were administered at different points on his right arm. His wife had expressed apprehension about the vaccine trial, but Lansana said he still wanted to take part. “From the counselling, all of the reservations I have were explained, my doubts were cleared,” he said. Up to 600 volunteers are taking part in the first phase, and trial organisers have said eventually as many as 27,000 people could take part. The World Health Organisation says the Ebola epidemic has infected more than 22,000 people and claimed more than 8800 lives over the past year. Without a vaccine, officials have fought the outbreak with old-fashioned public health measures, including isolating the sick, tracking and quarantining those who had contact with them, and setting up teams to safely bury bodies. The vaccine trials come as the three most affected countries – Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia – appear to be making strides against the Ebola epidemic first identified last March. The UN health agency said last week that the countries had reported fewer than 100 cases in the past week, for the first time since June.