Sabin Statement on the End of the Uganda Ebola Outbreak

The Sabin Vaccine Institute joins the global community to mark the official end of the Ebola Sudan outbreak in Uganda, which began last September and has since claimed the lives of at least 55 people and infected more than 87 others.

Thanks to ongoing funding support from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in the U.S., Sabin was the first organization to deliver vaccine doses for this lethal disease to Uganda – doing so just 79 days after the outbreak was declared. In addition to delivering doses, Sabin, as well as numerous other organizations, worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a protocol, systems, and processes during this outbreak that will serve the global community well in the future.

Although the outbreak has ended, Sabin continues developing its ChAd3 Ebola Sudan vaccine, and will start a Phase 2 safety and immunogenicity clinical trial in Uganda and Kenya later this year. Data from Phase 1 clinical trials and nonclinical studies show the Sabin vaccine is safe, rapid, robust, and durable. We are also working with our Italy-based manufacturing partner ReiThera to produce additional drug substance and fill-finish additional doses that will allow us to respond quickly in the event of another Ebola Sudan outbreak.

We also recognize the field work performed by the WHO and Uganda’s Ministry of Health, to prepare for the proposed outbreak trial – standing up facilities, training staff, addressing cold chain issues and preparing communities to accept a Sudan vaccine. “As one of the only global health organizations dedicated to developing vaccines and supporting vaccination uptake, community access and acceptance of the vaccine is as important as developing the vaccine. If we develop and deliver the vaccine but don’t get it into arms, we won’t reach our goal of protecting lives,” says Amy Finan, Sabin’s Chief Executive Officer.

Sabin thanks all our partners and sponsors for their continued support as we work to research and develop vaccines and extend immunization benefits to everyone, everywhere.

Media Contact: Monika Guttman, press@sabin.org