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Ebola vaccine trial 100 per cent effective
Ebola
Results published in The Lancet show that the vaccine had a 100 per cent success rate when it was given immediately.

Experts say results are 'remarkable'

Early results of a trial investigating the effects of an ebola vaccine have shown a 100 per cent success rate, according to the World Health Organisation.

The trial vaccine was given to thousands of people living in affected communities in Guinea who had been in close proximity of individuals with the infection - a method called 'ring vaccination'. Half were given the vaccine immediately, while the other half were given the vaccine after a wait of three weeks.

Results published in The Lancet show that the vaccine had a 100 per cent success rate when it was given immediately. None of the participants showed any symptoms of ebola up to 10 days after being the vaccine immediately after exposure. In  those in the delayed vaccination group, 16 participants developed symptoms.

The World Health Organisation say that while the vaccine up to now shows 100 per cent efficacy in individuals, more conclusive evidence is needed on its ability to protect populations through what is called 'herd immunity'. For this reason the Guinean national regulatory authority and ethics review committee have approved continuation of the trial.

Commenting on the results, Dr Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organisation said: "This is an extremely promising development.  The credit goes to the Guinean Government, the people living in the communities and our partners in this project.  An effective vaccine will be another very important tool for both current and future Ebola outbreaks."

Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, one of the funders of the trial, added that it was 'a remarkable result' and was the product of international collaboration.

The trial is now set to include 12-17-year-olds and possibly 6-12-year-old children on the basis of new evidence of the vaccine's safety.  A trial of the same vaccine will also be conducted on frontline workers.

Image (C) CDC Global

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.