Moderna logo and stock graph are seen displayed in this illustration taken, May 3, 2022. Reuters-Yonhap
Global health organisation CEPI will give roughly $60 million to Moderna and to two other groups to accelerate the development of shots against Ebola Bundibugyo, the deadly virus that has swept through eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations was one of the early investors that helped to develop a vaccine at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Richard Hatchett, head of CEPI, told Reuters it was possible to get vaccines against Ebola Bundibugyo ready for trials within a couple of months.
There are no approved vaccines or treatments for Ebola Bundibugyo.
"Every day counts in the race against this deadly disease,” Hatchett said.
He also said the promise of vaccines on "a not infinitely distant horizon" should help to start conversations about who would buy it and fund any roll-out.
But he cautioned vaccine development can be unpredictable and the challenging security situation in eastern Congo would make trials complex. The outbreak has caused 282 confirmed cases, including 42 deaths, and around 1,100 suspected cases, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
In addition to the deaths in Congo, nine cases have been confirmed in Uganda, including one death.
The global health agencies have declared the outbreak a public health emergency.
Source: Korea Times News
