National Institutes of Health launches first clinical trial of Zika vaccine

[RKP5637]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/08/03/nih-launches-zika-vaccine-trial/87996086/

As health officials work to contain the country's first Zika outbreak, centered in a Miami neighborhood, scientists at the National Institutes of Health announced the launch Wednesday of a clinical trial of an experimental Zika vaccine.

It's the second such study to begin this summer: Inovio Pharmaceuticals provided the first dose of its Zika vaccine July 26.

There are no effective vaccines or treatments for Zika, leaving scientists scrambling to protect people, particularly pregnant women whose unborn babies are at risk of devastating birth defects.

With 15 people infected by local mosquitoes in Miami, and more than 1,600 people in the continental U.S. infected through travel, scientists pushed themselves to begin the trial as quickly as possible, launching it a month ahead of schedule, said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“A safe and effective vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection and the devastating birth defects it causes is a public health imperative,” Fauci said. "Results in animal testing have been very encouraging. We are pleased that we are now able to proceed with this initial study in people."

[Ilsa]

1. Wow, that was fast.

At least it seems fast. I hope it works without side effects.

[RKP5637]

2. Yep, I hope so too! A vaccine plus spraying sounds like an excellent combination.

Yep, that's always the downside, what are the side effects.