AI Summary
FLAVIVACCINE aims to combat epidemic and pandemic viral threats by developing a pan-flavivirus vaccine candidate. The project focuses on initial infection from mosquito saliva, allowing a single vaccine to protect against multiple diseases. The project covers the entire research and development value chain, improving pandemic preparedness. Ethical considerations were discussed during the inaugural meeting.
A new project – FLAVIVACCINE – aims to increase the EU’s ability to combat epidemic and pandemic viral threats both in Europe and around the world.
Dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and West Nile viruses persist as major threats to global public health, affecting millions annually and claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. Recognizing the urgency of effective interventions, the FLAVIVACCINE project seeks to offer an innovative, safe, and effective vaccine by developing and characterizing a pan-flavivirus vaccine candidate.
Instead of directly targeting the virus, the project focuses on the initial infection resulting from contact with mosquito saliva. Thanks to this new approach, a single vaccine will be required to protect against multiple diseases, rather than multiple virus-specific vaccines.
Importantly, FLAVIVACCINE covers the entire research and development value chain, which may well be a valuable resource in improving pandemic preparedness and response to future threats.
The project’s inaugural meeting took place in Montpellier on 25-26 January 2024, where the work plan was established.
Today marks the beginning of a promising international collaboration. Together we will work toward a solution to the threats of flaviviruses to human health.”
Julien Pompon, Institut de Recherche Pour le DĂ©veloppement (IRD) & FLAVIVACCINE Project Coordinator
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The project is guided by the ethical principles shared by the European Commission, and during the meeting, the researchers were challenged in a workshop to reflect on the ethical considerations of their research. Many topics were discussed: human data treatment, responsibility to animals, inclusion practices and