PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: Safeguarding against Ebola: Vaccines and therapeutics to be stockpiled for future outbreaks
Eric M. Espeland, chief of vaccine countermeasures at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority at the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, and colleagues

“…The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is mandated to support advanced research and development (R&D) of medical countermeasures for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents — including Ebola … There are a number of challenges that must be overcome to ensure adequate preparedness for future Ebola outbreaks, including completing the remaining advanced development activities necessary for regulatory approval and subsequent stockpiling of these medical countermeasures for use during a public health emergency. BARDA remains committed to making available safe and effective, FDA-approved vaccines and therapeutics for Ebola public health emergencies. Despite the advancement of the aforementioned vaccines and therapeutics against Ebola, gaps remain in our overall preparedness posture against other filoviruses. … While we acknowledge that much work remains to prepare for future filovirus outbreaks, the recently announced BARDA awards for vaccines and therapeutics against Ebola represent an important milestone in our preparedness and ongoing commitment to counter this health security threat” (4/5).