Research Projects

Theme 1

RP003  Slifka

The World Health Organization has estimated that yellow fever virus (YFV) causes 200,000 cases of yellow fever and 30,000 deaths annually.  The current live vaccine used in the United States, YF-VAX®, has provided significant protection against yellow fever but the risks of vaccination may in some circumstances outweigh the benefits. For instance, immunization with YF-VAX® results in 1 to 2 vaccine-associated deaths per million doses administered – including fatalities in young, otherwise healthy adults. In this project, we propose the development of a new YFV vaccine that will be safe for healthy individuals as well as people with weakened immune systems. The establishment of this second-generation yellow fever vaccine will represent the first advance in yellow fever vaccination in >50 years and will provide a much needed vaccine alternative for immunologically vulnerable populations.