Breaking News: Sabin Vaccine Institute Sends Vital Marburg Vaccines to Rwanda Amid Outbreak Crisis!

In a crucial effort to combat the recent Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, the Sabin Vaccine Institute has successfully delivered approximately 700 doses of its investigational vaccine as of October 5, 2024. This significant shipment aims to protect frontline healthcare workers, who are among the most at risk due to their exposure to the deadly virus.

Marburg virus disease, a severe and often fatal illness, has a staggering mortality rate that can reach up to 88%. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or treatments available, making the recent developments even more critical. Sabin’s single-dose vaccine, which is based on the cAd3 platform, is currently undergoing Phase 2 trials in Uganda and Kenya, where it has reportedly shown no safety concerns thus far. Early studies have demonstrated that the vaccine is both safe and capable of eliciting rapid and robust immune responses.

Rwanda declared a Marburg outbreak on September 27, 2024, with reports indicating that 46 individuals have been infected and 12 have tragically lost their lives as of October 5. Most cases are clustered among healthcare workers in Kigali, but infections have been noted in other districts as well.

To expedite the vaccination process, Sabin has entered into a clinical trial agreement with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre. This collaboration aims to provide investigational doses for a Phase 2 open-label study, starting with high-risk adults—primarily healthcare providers—across six clinical trial sites in Rwanda. Sabin is also prepared to supply additional vaccine doses pending requests from Rwandan officials.

Sabin CEO Amy Finan expressed confidence in the collaboration, stating, 'We were able to ship Marburg vaccine doses within just seven days of being contacted by the Rwanda government for assistance. This swift maneuver demonstrates that when dedicated individuals and organizations unite, we can achieve extraordinary outcomes in the face of a lethal disease outbreak.'

Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, echoed these sentiments, highlighting that effective emergency responses rely on strategic global partnerships that merge expertise and resources. The delivery of vaccines just one week after the outbreak was confirmed underscores the urgency and precision of this collaborative effort.

The manufacture of the vaccine is being led by Italy’s ReiThera, which has produced the necessary materials for shipping to Rwanda. According to ReiThera CEO Stefano Colloca, their partnership with Sabin emphasizes the shared commitment to producing life-saving vaccines for vulnerable communities worldwide.

Marburg outbreaks, once sporadic, have shown an alarming increase across Africa, with recent incidents recorded in neighboring Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. This virus, which is a relative of the Ebola virus, is transmitted from fruit bats to humans and spreads rapidly through contact with infected bodily fluids.

The ongoing Phase 2 trials, which began last year, are not only focused within Africa but are also set to extend to a trial in the United States next year, with interim results anticipated in the coming months.

As efforts continue to combat this outbreak, the Sabin Vaccine Institute has received substantial support from various organizations, including BARDA, which has committed $235 million to vaccine research and development against both the Sudan ebolavirus and Marburg virus diseases.

The successful vaccination campaign in Rwanda could prove vital in controlling the Marburg virus and preventing further loss of life, with global health experts keeping a watchful eye on the developments as they unfold.