The National Institute of Health will begin testing a vaccine for ZIka at three study sites, including a location in Baltimore.
?The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched clinical trials of the vaccine.
At least 80 healthy volunteers ages 18-35 years are expected to participate in the trial.
Study sites include the Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Institute for Global Health in Baltimore, the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda and Emory University in Atlanta. Data from the first phase of the trial is expected by the end of 2016.
If the results are favorable, NIAID plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial in Zika-endemic countries in early 2017.
Following each vaccination, participants will remain at the study site for observation for a minimum of 30 minutes so clinicians can monitor for any adverse reactions. Participants will receive a diary card to use at home to record their temperature and any symptoms for seven days following each vaccination.
All participants will return for follow-up visits within a 44-week time period after the first vaccination so investigators can monitor their health to determine if the vaccine is safe. The study team will review patient data daily and weekly to monitor safety.