A new study, published in Science, has demonstrated that three different vaccine approaches can offer complete protection against Zika virus infection in monkeys, representing an important step forward towards a human vaccine for Zika. Peter was asked to offer comment on the study by the Science Media Centre (as a spokesperson for the British Society for Immunology). Peter’s comments were published in The Telegraph.
The statement is below;
Dr Peter Barlow, British Society for Immunology spokesperson and Reader in Immunology & Infection at Edinburgh Napier University, said:
“There are a number of significant health concerns around Zika virus infection, most notably for pregnant women, and thus an effective and safe vaccine against this virus is urgently required.
“This study used three different vaccine approaches in rhesus monkeys in order to assess the effectiveness of the vaccines in terms of protecting them against Zika virus infection. The data showed that all three vaccine approaches offered complete protection against Zika virus infection in the rhesus monkeys, without any major side effects.
“This study represents a promising step forward in the rapid development of a safe and robust vaccine against Zika virus infection in humans. I would now expect clinical trials of a Zika vaccine in humans, using one or more of these approaches, to begin this year.”
