Candidate vaccines for human Rift Valley fever

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Public Health
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) outbreaks cause severe economic losses and public health crises.
• RVFV is mosquito-borne, affecting livestock and causing serious human diseases like hemorrhagic fever.
• RVFV has expanded its geographical reach beyond sub-Saharan Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of two investigational new drug (IND) RVF vaccines over the last 20-40 years.
• To discuss innovations needed for future RVF vaccines for human use in endemic regions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on RVF vaccine development.
• Analysis of two specific IND RVF candidate vaccines currently in clinical trials.

Main Results:

• Currently, no licensed RVF vaccines are available for human use, though veterinary vaccines exist.
• Two IND RVF candidate vaccines are undergoing clinical evaluation.
• A formalin-inactivated RVF vaccine requires three doses, while the live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine shows strong immunogenicity.

Conclusions:

• Human vaccination against RVF is crucial for protecting at-risk populations.
• Further advancements in RVF vaccine safety, immunogenicity, and thermostability are essential for widespread use in endemic areas.