Much of the fear surrounding the Ebola outbreak centers around the fact that there is no vaccine to prevent its spread. Nations have tried restricting travel to West Africa and placing those who have been exposed to the disease under quarantine. But a group from Switzerland is working to change all of that.
The World Health Organization has welcomed the trial of the experimental vaccine VSV-ZABOV, which was developed by scientists at the Public Health Agency of Canada. The trial, which has approval by Swissmedic, the Swiss regulatory authority for therapeutic products, is being conducted in Geneva on 115 volunteers.
How does it work?
It begins with healthy volunteers. Many of the volunteers are set to travel to West Africa to help fight the disease. Scientists are testing both the safety of the vaccine and its ability to create an immune response to Ebola. If after the trial the vaccine is considered safe, it will be taken in larger scale to African countries as early as the beginning of 2015.
Why would anyone volunteer for this?
One volunteer, Trina Helderman, a doctor who has spent the last several years working in Africa, says she understands the process required to develop a vaccination and is confident in her safety and therefore willing to participate. But even more importantly, as a person who has seen firsthand the devastation that illnesses can cause in impoverished countries, Helderman is willing to do whatever it takes to stop and prevent Ebola.
Being in the business of medication means being a part of something big and often something extraordinary. Contact Northwind Pharmaceuticals today to learn how you can add this important aspect of healthcare to your organization.
