Ebola vaccine booster study aims to strengthen protection for frontline workers
NCT ID NCT02788227
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a booster dose of the Ebola vaccine (V920) could improve and extend immune protection in 248 healthy adults at risk of Ebola exposure through their jobs. Participants received the primary vaccine and were randomly assigned 18 months later to get a booster or not. Researchers measured antibody levels over 36 months to see if the booster helped.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Ebola vaccine (rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP, V920)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that a booster shot strengthens and prolongs protection against Ebola for healthcare and lab workers.
- What could go wrong
- This is a mid-stage study with only 248 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The vaccine's long-term effectiveness is still unknown.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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248 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2016
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
-INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adults age \>=18 years. 2. Signed informed consent for the trial. 3. At risk of occupational exposure to Ebola virus through laboratory, clinical contact, or field work, in the judgment of the investigator. 4. Females of childbearing potential must be willing to use effective methods of contraception, from at least 30 days prior to vaccination through 1 month following vaccination/booster, which would include: * oral contraceptives, either combined or progestogen alone * injectable progestogen * implants of etenogestrel or levonorgestrel * oestrogenic vaginal ring * percutaneous contraceptive patches * intrauterine device or intrauterine system * committed to abstinence from potentially reproductive sexual contact \[i.e. will NOT engage in heterosexual intercourse where both partners are capable of reproduction\] * surgical sterilization * male condom combined with a spermicide 5. All males must be willing to use effective methods of contraception for at least 1 month following vaccination/booster, which would include: * surgical sterilization * male condom combined with a spermicide 6. Willing to minimize blood and body fluid exposure to others for at least 14 days after vaccination/booster. This includes: * Use of effective barrier prophylaxis, such as latex condoms, during any sexual interaction (regardless of childbearing status or sexual orientation) * Avoiding the sharing of needles, razors, eating utensils, drinking from the same cup, or toothbrushes * Avoiding open-mouth kissing * Use of universal precautions in the health-care setting 7. Agrees not to receive another investigational agent between vaccination and the month 1 study visit (and booster and month 19 study visit). 8. Willing to forgo blood donation for one year from vaccination/booster. 9. Willing to accept randomization (boost versus no boost) at month 18 visit. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Any condition that would limit the ability of the participant to meet protocol requirements or would place the participant at unreasonable risk. Examples include: * Clinically significant medical condition, physical examination findings, clinically significant abnormal laboratory results, or past medical history with clinically significant implications for current health, per the investigator. A clinically significant condition or process includes but is not limited to: 1. A process that would adversely affect the systemic immune response 2. A process that would require medication that might adversely affect the systemic immune response 3. Any contraindication to repeated injections or blood draws 4. A condition that requires active medical intervention or monitoring to avert grave danger to the participant's health or well-being during the study period 5. A condition or process for which signs or symptoms could be confused with reactions to vaccine * Presence of any pre-existing illness or clinical history that, in the opinion of the investigator, would place the participant at an unreasonably increased risk through participation in this study. This includes but is not limited to: 1. Active malignancy 2. History of Guillain-Barre Syndrome 3. History of neurological disorder that may increase risk (history of encephalitis, stroke, or seizure) 4. Active autoimmune disorder requiring systemic immunosuppressive treatment * Any concomitant medication for which reported side effects or adverse events, in the judgment of the investigator, may interfere with assessment of safety. * Subjects who, in the judgment of the investigator, will be unlikely or unable to comply with the requirements of this protocol. 2. Pregnant or breast feeding (must have negative serum or urine pregnancy test on the day of vaccination, prior to vaccination) 3. Known allergy to the components of the rVSV∆G-ZEBOV-GP vaccine (V920) vaccine product (VSV, albumin, tris). 4. History of severe local or systemic reactions to any vaccination. 5. Received an investigational drug within 5 half-lives or 30 days, whichever is longer, prior to vaccination (Day 0)/booster (month 18). 6. Received killed vaccines 14 days before, or intention to receive within 7 days following, vaccination (Day 0)/booster (month 18). 7. Received live virus vaccines within 30 days before, or intention to receive live virus vaccines within 30 days following, vaccination (Day 0)/booster (month 18). 8. Received immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the 120 days preceding vaccination (Day 0)/booster (month 18). 9. Received allergy treatment with antigen injections within 30 days before vaccination (Day 0)/booster (month 18). 10. Clinical evidence (e.g. oral temp \>38 degrees Celsius, systemic symptoms) of a systemic infection or other acute intercurrent illness at the proposed time of vaccination (Day 0)/booster (month 18).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Health Canada, 539 John Buhler Research Center
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 3P4, Canada
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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The Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University
Decatur, Georgia, 30030, United States
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