Vaccination strategies against Zika virus

The epidemic emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2015-2016 has been associated with congenital malformations and neurological sequela. Current efforts to develop a ZIKV vaccine build on technologies that successfully reduced infection or disease burden against closely related flaviviruses or other RNA viruses. Subunit-based (DNA plasmid and modified mRNA), viral vectored (adeno- and measles viruses) and inactivated viral vaccines are already advancing to clinical trials in humans after successful mouse and non-human primate studies. Among the greatest challenges for the rapid implementation of immunogenic and protective ZIKV vaccines will be addressing the potential for exacerbating Dengue virus infection or causing Guillain-Barré syndrome through production of cross-reactive immunity targeting related viral or host proteins. Here, we review vaccine strategies under development for ZIKV and the issues surrounding their usage.