SA: FDA Approves an Ebola Vaccine For the First Time

On December 19th, the FDA approved an Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, developed by Merck. It is the first Ebola vaccine approved in the United States. The vaccine protects against the most common species to cause the Ebola outbreaks, Zaire ebolavirus. Dr. Peter Marka, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, noted that Ebola is a rare but deadly disease and vaccination is essential to help prevent outbreaks. The vaccine generates a strong immune response after one dose, with protection occurring within about 10 days. This vaccine has been in development since the 1990s and many countries, such as the United States, are planning to stockpile the vaccine for preparedness against a bioterrorism threat. Ervebo has been pivotal in the effort to control the current outbreak with over 250,000 people being vaccinated to date.

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