Scientists explore safe development of zoonotic vaccines
Researchers have proposed seven commitments to zoonotic vaccine development.
A study into zoonotic vaccinations has made recommendations to ensure that future developments are safe and ethical.
The research, from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), explored how intentionally transmissible wildlife vaccinations could be produced to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases affecting humans.
Transmissible vaccines have recently been considered as a potential means to control zoonotic diseases, which are able to move from animals to humans. Scientists believe that a vaccination that will intentionally spread through a target population could control the transmission of zoonotic diseases, and therefore reduce the risk of it affecting humans.
Immunising wildlife populations on a level that interrupts pathogen transmission could change how public health challenges are managed, as well as wildlife conservation and animal welfare.
However, scientists have warned of the risk involved with the creation of the vaccines. As part of their development, viruses intended to spread through nature would need to be modified.
Scientists have raised their concerns about the technical feasibility, security risks, regulatory uncertainties and ethics involved in the process.
To counter these concerns, the multi-disciplinary group of researchers have proposed seven commitments for veterinary vaccine development.
Among the commitments is an agreement that any vaccines will only use naturally occurring, host-specific viruses as vectors. They must be sourced from, and returned to, their natural host species.
Scientists should not intentionally pursue any genetic modifications that would increase the host range, pathogenicity or transmissibility of the virus. Technologies that would be harmful when applied to a human virus should also be avoided.
The development of any vaccines needs to be monitored through defined checkpoints in a controlled environment, including contingency plans for unintended spreads and their consequences. All development should be transparent and community led.
Finally, safety standards must follow the strictest standards of all nations involved.
The research group believes that the application of these commitments will mean the benefits to zoonosis prevention will outweigh any risks of vaccine transmission. This will provide a starting point, which can be evolved in line with later research.
David Simons, a PhD graduate of RVC, said: “We strongly encourage scientists and vaccine developers to integrate and advance our seven commitments for transmissible vaccines to ensure safe, transparent and equitable implementation of this exciting intervention.
“Identification of suitable zoonotic pathogens for targeted vaccine development is underway and the adoption of these commitments and any future commitments will ensure that implementation of this exciting technology will benefit those who need it most."
The full study can be found in the journal Science.
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