Experimental Ebola Vaccine Appears Effective In Clinical Trial Conducted In Guinea

News outlets discuss the findings of a clinical trial testing an experimental Ebola vaccine in Guinea published in The Lancet on July 31.

Associated Press: Experimental Ebola vaccine could stop virus in West Africa
“An experimental Ebola vaccine tested on thousands of people in Guinea seems to work and might help shut down the waning epidemic in West Africa, according to interim results from a study published [July 31]…” (Cheng, 7/31).

PBS NewsHour: First-ever Ebola vaccine shows ‘promise’ — now what?
“…The new vaccine, called VSV-EBOV, was first discovered by the public health agency of Canada. Drug manufacturer Merck has acquired the rights to develop it. … The vaccine appears to be so effective that WHO is going to stop delaying the vaccinations, as it was doing in the control groups, and will start vaccinating children and young adults in light of the new data, [Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO assistant director-general for health systems and innovation,] said…” (Epatko, 7/31).

Scientific American: Does This Ebola Vaccine Herald the End of the Virus?
“…Scientific American spoke with Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Disease, to find out more about what this promising new finding will mean for thwarting Ebola in the future. Fauci was not involved with the trial…” (Maron, 8/4).

WIRED: What ‘100 Percent Effective’ Means for That Ebola Vaccine
“…What the statisticians do have to work with — that 100 percent efficacy — isn’t as mind-blowing as you might assume. Of the immediately-vaccinated people, none displayed symptoms 10 or more days after vaccination, compared to 16 infections in the group of 2,380 that was assigned to get vaccines three weeks late. … Those 16 infections in the delayed vaccination group are what makes the 100 percent efficacy statement a little less awesome…” (Palmer, 8/4).

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