Ebola Vaccine Confirmed Safe for Pregnant and breastfeeding Women,Infants,in landmark Trials
New research confirms the safety and immunogenicity of an Ebola vaccine for mothers and their infants,offering a critical advancement in protecting vulnerable populations during outbreaks. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2024, and further supported by a 2025 study in Vaccine, the findings demonstrate a robust immune response in both vaccinated mothers and their babies, even those exposed in utero or through breastfeeding. This breakthrough addresses a notable gap in Ebola preparedness, as previous vaccine trials largely excluded pregnant and breastfeeding women, leaving them and their newborns at heightened risk.
The confirmation is notably vital given the devastating impact Ebola has on families and communities, and the increased vulnerability of pregnant women and infants to the virus. Prior to these studies, ethical concerns and a lack of data prevented widespread vaccination of these groups during outbreaks.The new data, stemming from trials in areas previously affected by Ebola, paves the way for including them in future vaccination campaigns, perhaps saving countless lives. Researchers anticipate these findings will promptly influence public health strategies and vaccine deployment protocols in regions at risk of Ebola.
The New England Journal of Medicine study (DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2410045) involved analysis of data related to the vaccine’s performance, revealing no safety signals in vaccinated mothers or their infants (Nachega, JB, 2024). A subsequent study published in Vaccine in 2025 (DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126479) by Chaudhary, M. et al., further validated these findings, demonstrating a strong immune response in infants, even those born to mothers vaccinated during pregnancy. Both studies utilized data available through PubMed (39197097, 39488189) and Google Scholar.
