China-made Ebola vaccine permitted for overseas trial

Beijing: A restructured Ebola vaccine independently developed by China has entered phase two clinical trials in Sierra Leone, marking the vaccine's first overseas clinical trial permit.

The Chinese Ebola vaccine has three major features. First, the vaccine is the first based on the Ebola virus strain responsible for the West African outbreak in 2014, People's Daily reported on Tuesday. 

Until now, all tested Ebola vaccines were based on a strain from the Democratic Republic of the Congo outbreak of 1976. 

Second, the vaccine is currently in the form of a freeze-dried powder, which will keep it stable for at least two weeks in temperatures of up to 37 degrees Celsius. This will make it suitable for the tropical West African region and assist with large-scale production. 

Thirdly, clinical outcomes have proved the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. 

Phase one of clinical trials of the Chinese Ebola vaccine that included human testing indicates that the vaccine is safe. 

The vaccine entered phase of its clinical trials on Sunday.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus has killed over 11,000 people in West Africa so far.