Canada-made experimental Ebola vaccine goes out Monday

The first shipment of the made-in-Canada experimental Ebola vaccine will go out to the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday.

In a release on Saturday, the Public Health Agency of Canada said it will ship 800 vials of its experimental vaccine in three separate shipments, as a precautionary measure.

Ottawa announced last week that clinical trials had started in the United States on a Canadian-made Ebola vaccine. Results won’t be known until December.

The Centers for Disease Control reports 8,997 cases of Ebola with 4,493 deaths in 2014 across seven countries.

Latest Ebola developments

Meanwhile, an Ebola-infected nursing assistant in Spain may be clear of the virus, according to initial testing. A second test is still needed to confirm her recovery.

The 44 year-old became infected with the virus while caring for two infected missionaries who later died.

In the U.S., those who had contact with Thomas Eric Duncan — the Liberian man who died in Texas of Ebola — are set to be be released from quarantine on Monday.

Duncan’s girlfriend is among those who have been under close watch during the virus’ 21-day incubation period. So far, none in the group has shown Ebola symptoms.

Kathleen Wynne announced on Monday the province will donate $3 million to Médecins Sans Frontières and the Red Cross to help fight the outbreak in West Africa.

Quick facts about the Ebola vaccine:

  • The vaccine will be shipped via air from Winnipeg to the University Hospital of Geneva via specialized courier.
  • The vaccine shipment will be sent in three separate shipments as a precautionary measure in the event that there is an accident during shipping, such as a temperature control failure. The vaccine must be packed in dry ice and kept at -80 C.
  • The vaccine is the product of more than 10 years of scientific research by Public Health Agency of Canada scientists at the National Microbiology Laboratory.
  • This experimental Ebola vaccine has just begun clinical trials in humans, after showing very promising results in animal research.
  • The Government of Canada maintains ownership of the intellectual property associated with the vaccine.
  • The Government of Canada has licensed the rights to NewLink Genetics through its wholly owned subsidiary BioProtection Systems to further develop the product for use in humans.
  • There has never been a case of Ebola in Canada and the risk to Canadians remains low.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada

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