On Monday, Phase 1 of a clinical trial of a Zika purified inactivated virus vaccine began at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Springs, Md.
The trial will test the vaccine's safety and immunogenicity, or the substance's ability to generate an immune response in the body. The study is set to enroll a total of 75 people.
Scientists at the institute developed the vaccine earlier this year with the same technology used to create its Japanese encephalitis vaccine, which was licensed in the U.S. in 2009. An earlier preclinical trial of the Zika vaccine found rhesus monkeys given the inoculation developed a strong immune response and were protected against two strains of Zika virus.
"Asymptomatic Zika infections can lead to severe birth defects and neurological complications," said Maj. Leyi Lin, MD, the study's principal investigator. "A safe and effective Zika vaccine that prevents infection in those at risk is a global public health priority."
As of Nov. 2, there were 149 cases of Zika virus confirmed among individuals in the military health system, including four pregnant service members and one pregnant family member.
More articles on the Zika virus:
Human antibody safeguards fetuses from Zika infection, mouse model reveals
2 more US infants born with Zika-related birth defects; 1,000+ pregnant women infected
Miami Beach asks FDA for 'emergency permission' to release GMO mosquitoes to contain Zika transmissions