The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases plans to begin testing a Zika vaccine made in its labs in September, according to Science.
The initial tests would begin in 80 people. If the vaccine proves effective, the NIAID will then launch a second study in the first quarter of 2017 involving thousands of volunteers in a nation with high rates of Zika infection.
The news comes from NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, MD, who spoke at a press conference on Wednesday, according to Science.
Dr. Fauci noted several critical factors that could create delays in the optimistic timetable. Both the safety and efficacy of the vaccine will have to be determined — rarely is a product 100 percent safe and effective. Another critical factor will be the rate of infection regarding the nation in which the larger scale trials will be conducted. Dr. Fauci cited the drop off in new Ebola infections in West Africa in 2015 that created difficulties for vaccine trials.
"If that happens when Zika vaccine efficacy trials start...it may take three years to show whether it works or not," said Dr. Fauci.
The Zika virus has been linked to the birth defect microcephaly, a condition in which infants are born with abnormally small heads, and other neurologically debilitating conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Find where in the U.S. Zika has been reported as of April 29 here.
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