Experimental Ebola vaccine developed by Public Health Agency of Canada to be tested in humans
November 14, 2014 - Ottawa, Ontario - Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, today announced the launch of a Canadian Phase I clinical trial for Canada's Ebola vaccine (VSV-EBOV). The trial will be led by the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) and will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
In this trial, jointly funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the experimental vaccine will be tested on a small group of people to assess its safety, determine the appropriate dosage, and identify any side effects. The trial will test whether lower doses of the vaccine can induce an immune response in an individual and will also generate valuable information about the use of the vaccine in older adults.
This vaccine trial is taking place concurrently with the trials in the United States in an effort to move onto further clinical trials in larger populations as quickly as possible. Trial results are expected in early 2015. Information from the trials will be shared with the international community as part of the global response to this crisis. In prior testing, the vaccine already showed promising results in animal research.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting international efforts to control the Ebola outbreak and ensuring that appropriate precautions and measures are in place to protect Canadians.
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200
David Coulombe
Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
