Safety and Immunogenicity of the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP Ebola Virus Vaccine Candidate in Children Living in Lambaréné, Gabon

LA rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP -02-PED is a Phase 1/2, randomized, controlled open label trial. The LA rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP -02-PED trial aims primarily to assess the clinical significance of shedding of the rVSV RNA following vaccination with the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine in children. The vaccine doses of ≥7.8 x 107 pfu will be evaluated and compared to vaccination with varicella vaccine as a control. In addition, the closest contact persons of the vaccinees will be monitored for possible transmission of the viral vaccine vector.

The study will enroll children of two age groups living in Lambaréné, Gabon. Children will be followed-up for 12 months post vaccination.

The 1-2 closest contact persons of each participant will be involved in the monitoring of rVSV transmission. They will be followed until day 56 post- vaccination of their children/ sibling.

LA-rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP -02-PED is a Phase 1/2, randomized, controlled, open label, trial and is designed to generate further safety, tolerability and immunogenicity data of the 7.8 x 107 PFU rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine in children aged 1 -12 years living in a sub-Saharan Africa. The study will enroll participants into two age groups. A total of 120 children will be enrolled and followed-up for 12 months post injection. In addition, a maximum of 240 relatives of the study participants will be enrolled to assess the transmission of the rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine.

Group 1: 60 participants aged 6-12 years will be randomized in group 1. 40 participants will receive a single intramuscular dose of 7.8 x 107 pfu rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP vaccine. 20 participants will receive a single subcutaneous dose of varicella vaccine The participants will be allocated to each treatment at a ratio of 2:1 respectively Group 2: 60 participants aged 1 -5 years will be randomized into group 2. 40 will receive a single intramuscular dose of 7.8 x 107 pfu of rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine. 20 participants will receive a single subcutaneous dose of varicella vaccine The participants will be allocated to each treatment at a ratio of 2:1 respectively

Vaccinations will start in group 2 after the first 10 participants of group 1 have completed the day 28 post vaccination visit and the SMC has done a review of safety data until that point.

For each vaccinee there will be a 365 -day period of follow-up after vaccination. The contact persons of the vaccinees will be followed-up until day 56 after the vaccination of their relative.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy children aged 1 to 12 years (inclusive) at the time of inclusion.
* Willingness of parent or legal guardian to provide written informed consent prior to screening procedures.
* Willingness of the relatives of the participant to provide written informed consent if they are ≥ 18 years (or an assent when they are 13 to 17 years old).
* Available, able, and willing to participate in all study visits and procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of severe local or systemic reactions to any vaccination or a history of severe allergic reactions, or known allergy to the components of the vaccines.
* Ongoing participation in another clinical trial
* Participation in previous Ebola vaccine trials
* Receipt of a licensed vaccine within 14 days of planned study immunization (30 days for live vaccines)
* Presence of any febrile illness (fever \>38°C) or any moderate to severe illness within one week prior to vaccination;
* Administration of immunoglobulins and/or any blood products within the 120 days preceding study entry or planned administration during the study period
* Any other significant finding that in the opinion of the investigator would increase the risk of the individual having an adverse outcome from participating in this study.