Global Race to Develop Ebola Vaccines Intensifies as Outbreak Spreads in Africa

Global Race to Develop Ebola Vaccines Intensifies as Outbreak Spreads in Africa
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As cases of Ebola continue to rise in parts of Central Africa, international efforts to accelerate the development of new vaccines are gaining momentum. Experts say acting quickly is crucial to control the ongoing outbreak.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced it is fast‑tracking the development of three experimental vaccines targeting the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, responsible for the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. CEPI says it will provide urgent funding and support to advance these vaccine candidates through pre‑clinical and early clinical stages as rapidly as possible.

One of the vaccine candidates being supported is an mRNA‑based shot developed by Moderna, which has shown promising results in early studies, while others are being developed by research teams including the University of Oxford and partners backed by global health organisations.

The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO), and there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments available for the Bundibugyo strain, increasing the urgency of vaccine development efforts.