UK Regulator Approves Trials
The UK regulator has granted permission for a new Ebola vaccine to be tested on people, marking a significant step in the response to the ongoing outbreak.
1Global Health
Trials for New Ebola Vaccine Begin After UK Approval
A new vaccine developed by the University of Oxford will undergo clinical trials to combat the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, as the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo claims over 700 lives.
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Trials of new Ebola vaccine set to begin
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What to know before you press play.
Oxford Development Timeline
Scientists at the University of Oxford began developing the vaccine eight weeks ago, following the World Health Organization's declaration of a public health emergency.
2Targeting Bundibugyo Strain
The vaccine is specifically aimed at tackling the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, which is currently driving the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
2First of Four Vaccines
This vaccine is the first of four under development to enter clinical trials, highlighting the rapid pace of medical response to the crisis.
3Epidemic Impact in DRC
The epidemic is centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where more than 700 people have died, underscoring the urgency of the vaccine trials.
4Ask GenPod next
Keep the question moving.
“What are the specific symptoms of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola?”
“How do clinical trials for vaccines typically progress from phase one to phase three?”
“What other public health measures are being implemented in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?”
Background reading
The context behind the episode.
Questions
Questions to carry into the episode.
Which strain of the Ebola virus does the new vaccine target?
The vaccine targets the Bundibugyo species of the virus.
2How many people have died in the current Ebola epidemic?
More than 700 people have died in the epidemic centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
4How many vaccines are currently under development for this outbreak?
There are four vaccines under development, with this being the first to enter clinical trials.
3Sources and disclosure
Where this guide comes from.
This listening guide is based on the episode 'Trials of new Ebola vaccine set to begin' from the Global News Podcast, published on July 13, 2026.
- Publisher show notes
A new vaccine to tackle Ebola will now be tested on people after the UK regulator gave permission for trials to take place.
- Publisher show notes
University of Oxford scientists began developing the vaccine - aimed at tackling the Bundibugyo species of the virus - eight weeks ago, when a public health emergency was declared by the World Health Organization.
- Publisher show notes
It is the first - out of four vaccines under development - to enter clinical trials.
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The epidemic, centred on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has killed more than 700 people.
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Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: Researcher Alex Sampson holds the experimental Ebola vaccine Credit: BBC/TREVOR LLOYD
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