Ebola Vaccine

While the Ebola pandemic seems to be on its way out the door, the CDC is still in the thick of it.

Currently they are testing a vaccine for Ebola in Sierra Leone. The program is called STRIVE- Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola. They are currently in phases 2 and 3 of testing the vaccine that they have developed. They have chosen to test the vaccine in the 5 areas that were hit the hardest by the Ebola virus. The article on the CDC page stated they may extend their area of testing if necessary, as the Ebola virus has been unpredictable in areas of outbreak.

One of the important aspects of this mission is that they are choosing not to use a placebo. Each participant in the trial will receive the vaccine at one point during the study. For some it may be immediate, while others will be in the deferred group. I think its important that every member receives the vaccine, due to the nature of the virus. It is best to protect as many people as possible while testing this vaccine, leaving no one in harms way if the outbreak comes back in full force.