Experimental Ebola Vaccine Safe, Effective In West African Trials, Scientists Report

The Guardian: Ebola vaccine is safe and effective, scientists declare after trials
“A vaccine for Ebola which has completed successful trials in Guinea and Sierra Leone means the virus should never again be able to wreak the havoc it did during the recent epidemic in West Africa, say scientists…” (Boseley, 12/22).

NBC News: Ebola Vaccine Works, Study Shows
“…[Researchers] used the same strategy that was used to eradicate smallpox in the 1970s. Called ring vaccination, it calls for vaccinating people who have been in contact with patients, and contacts of contacts…” (Fox, 12/23).

New York Times: New Ebola Vaccine Gives 100 Percent Protection
“…[A]n experimental Ebola vaccine tested on humans in the waning days of the West African epidemic has been shown to provide 100 percent protection against the lethal disease…” (McNeil, 12/22).

NPR: Scientists Announce Ebola Vaccine
“…[Researchers] don’t know yet how long the protection will last, but it will bring outbreaks to a screeching halt…” (Doucleff/Shapiro, 12/23).

PBS NewsHour: Ebola vaccine results are encouraging — but preliminary
“…The results of a two-year trial led by the World Health Organization were published in the journal ‘Lancet’ [on December 22]. They showed that of nearly 6,000 people vaccinated in Guinea last year, none had contracted Ebola after a 10-day period. While in the group not vaccinated, 23 cases developed…” (Sreenivasan, 12/23).

Reuters: Guinea trial shows ‘historic’ success for Ebola vaccine
“…The WHO said that if Ebola outbreaks occurred before the vaccine was given full regulatory approval, it could be made available though a compassionate use procedure after informed consent…” (Kelland, 12/22).

U.N. News Centre: Final trial results confirm Ebola vaccine provides ‘high protection’ — U.N. health agency
“…WHO said that an international vaccine-focused organization, Gavi, provided $5 million to Merck, one of the vaccine’s manufacturers, towards its future procurement once the vaccine is approved, prequalified, and recommended by WHO…” (12/23).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.