🩸 Ebola Vaccine Tracker Dashboard
Tracking Ebola vaccine development and deployment for outbreak response. Ebola virus disease (EVD) causes severe hemorrhagic fever with case fatality rates up to 90%. Two vaccines are now licensed: Merck's Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) approved in 2019, and J&J's two-dose Zabdeno/Mvabea regimen approved in 2020. These vaccines proved lifesaving during 2018-2020 DRC outbreaks. This tracker monitors licensed vaccines and next-generation candidates for improved outbreak response.
Ebola Vaccines by Development Phase
300K+
People Vaccinated (DRC 2018-2020)
✅ Licensed Vaccines
Approval Date
December 2019 (FDA), November 2019 (EMA)
Efficacy
97.5% (NEJM 2017 trial)
Regimen
Single dose
Protection Against
Zaire ebolavirus
Details: Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) is a live, attenuated recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine expressing Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein. The pivotal Phase 3 ring vaccination trial in Guinea (2015) demonstrated 97.5% efficacy against Ebola virus disease (NEJM 2017, NCT02378753). Single-dose regimen provides rapid protection within 10 days. Used extensively during 2018-2020 Democratic Republic of Congo outbreaks, vaccinating over 300,000 people including healthcare workers, contacts, and contacts of contacts. WHO prequalified in 2019. Stored at -60°C to -80°C. Protection duration at least 2 years, likely much longer.
Real-World Impact: Ervebo was credited with controlling the 2018-2020 DRC outbreak (3,470 cases, 2,287 deaths). Ring vaccination strategy combined with infection prevention/control reduced transmission. First Ebola vaccine to receive regulatory approval. Originally developed by Public Health Agency of Canada, licensed to NewLink Genetics, then acquired by Merck in 2014. Breakthrough vaccine designation by FDA.
Approval Date
July 2020 (EMA)
Immunogenicity
100% seroconversion
Regimen
Two doses, 56 days apart
Protection Against
Zaire, Sudan, Marburg, Tai Forest
Details: The Zabdeno/Mvabea regimen uses heterologous prime-boost: Zabdeno (Ad26.ZEBOV) prime on Day 1, followed by Mvabea (MVA-BN-Filo) boost on Day 57. Ad26.ZEBOV is an adenovirus serotype 26 vector expressing Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein. MVA-BN-Filo is a Modified Vaccinia Ankara vector expressing antigens from Zaire, Sudan, Marburg, and Tai Forest viruses. Phase 3 EBOVAC-Salone trial (NCT02509494) in Sierra Leone showed 100% seroconversion and durable antibody responses at 2 years. Used for preventive vaccination in at-risk populations (healthcare workers, laboratory personnel). Advantage: broader filovirus coverage including Sudan ebolavirus and Marburg.
Storage & Deployment: Zabdeno stable at 2-8°C. Mvabea requires -20°C storage. Two-dose regimen limits outbreak response utility compared to single-dose Ervebo, but offers broader filovirus protection. EMA approval July 2020. Used in Rwanda in 2021 for pre-exposure prophylaxis of healthcare workers following Marburg outbreak in neighboring countries.
🔬 Phase 3 Clinical Trials
Goal
Single-dose outbreak response
Advantage
Rapid deployment, 2-8°C storage
Description: Investigating Ad26.ZEBOV as single-dose regimen for rapid outbreak response. Phase 3 studies assess whether one dose provides adequate protection without MVA-BN-Filo boost. If successful, would offer 2-8°C stable, single-dose vaccine combining deployment ease of Ervebo with thermostability advantage. Target: healthcare workers and outbreak response teams requiring rapid vaccination.
🧬 Phase 2 Clinical Trials
Technology
ChAd3 vector + Zaire GP
Phase 2 Results
Safe, immunogenic
Description: ChAd3-EBO-Z uses chimpanzee adenovirus serotype 3 vector expressing Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein. Phase 2 trials in Liberia during 2014-2016 outbreak showed good safety and robust antibody responses. Development paused as outbreak ended. Potential advantage: pre-existing human immunity to chimp adenovirus is minimal. Single dose. May resume development for next-generation vaccines or combination regimens.
Technology
Intranasal HPIV3 vector
Advantage
Mucosal immunity, needle-free
Description: HPIV3-EbovZ uses human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) as vector for intranasal delivery. Induces both systemic and mucosal immunity. Phase 1/2 trials demonstrated safety and antibody responses. Potential advantages: needle-free administration, mucosal immunity at respiratory portal, no pre-existing vector immunity concerns. May be useful for pediatric populations or outbreak settings where injectable vaccines are challenging.
🧪 Phase 1 Clinical Trials
Technology
mRNA-LNP
Advantage
Rapid manufacturing, multivalent
Description: Moderna's mRNA vaccine encodes Ebola virus glycoproteins using proven COVID-19 mRNA-LNP technology. Potential for rapid outbreak response with manufacturing completed in weeks. Could target multiple Ebola species (Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo) in single multivalent formulation. Phase 1 safety and immunogenicity trials ongoing. Advantages: rapid production, thermostability improvements, dose-sparing potential.
Developer
Academic consortium
Technology
VLP (GP + VP40 + NP)
Advantage
Room temperature stable
Description: VLP vaccine containing Ebola glycoprotein (GP), matrix protein (VP40), and nucleoprotein (NP). Engineered for thermostability - remains potent at 25°C for months. Critical for resource-limited settings in Africa where cold chain is challenging. Phase 1 trials assess safety and immunogenicity. Preclinical studies showed complete protection in non-human primates.
Coverage
Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Tai Forest
Technology
Multivalent VLP or mRNA
Description: Multivalent vaccine targeting all four ebolaviruses known to cause human disease: Zaire (EBOV), Sudan (SUDV), Bundibugyo (BDBV), and Tai Forest (TAFV). VLP or mRNA platform displaying glycoproteins from all species. Animal studies demonstrate cross-protective immunity. Phase 1 safety trials in healthy volunteers. Goal: single vaccine for all Ebola threats, eliminating need for species-specific vaccines.
🔬 Preclinical Development
Description: Self-amplifying RNA encoding Ebola glycoproteins with built-in RNA replicase. Requires 10-100x lower doses than conventional mRNA. NHP studies demonstrate complete protection against lethal Ebola challenge with microgram doses. Potential for single-dose, thermostable outbreak response vaccine. Could encode multiple ebolavirus GPs for pan-species protection.
Description: Ebola glycoprotein displayed on ferritin or I53-50 nanoparticle scaffolds. Enhanced immunogenicity from repetitive antigen display. Stable at 2-8°C with adjuvants like Matrix-M or AS01. Guinea pig studies show superior antibody responses vs soluble GP. Could provide durable immunity with longer intervals between boosters. Suitable for pre-exposure prophylaxis.
Description: Oral vaccine using enteric-coated VLPs or adenovirus vectors for intestinal delivery. Induces mucosal and systemic immunity. NHP studies with oral Ad vectors showed protection. Advantages: needle-free, mass vaccination campaigns, cultural acceptance. Challenges: gastric acid stability, dose consistency. Could revolutionize outbreak response if successful.
Description: DNA plasmid encoding Ebola glycoproteins delivered with electroporation to enhance cellular uptake. Thermostable, long shelf life at room temperature. Induces both humoral and cellular immunity including CD8+ T cells. NHP studies showed partial to complete protection. Potential for rapid manufacture and stockpiling. Could be ideal for pre-exposure prophylaxis in endemic regions.