NIH Potential Ebola Vaccine Gets 'Promising Results'

BETHESDA, Md. (WJZ) -- A big breakthrough in the fight against Ebola right here in Maryland. A possible vaccine gets "promising results" in a clinical trial at NIH. The president cheered the progress but says this fight is far from over.

Christie Ileto has more on the push to keep this an urgent priority.

The clinical trials are gaining ground but this leap in science is just a small step in the fight against Ebola.

"This is important progress," said President Barack Obama.

The president applauded researchers at NIH in Maryland. Their vaccine proved safe and effective on the 20 adults tested and could save thousands---and a research program short on cash.

An effective vaccine may have been able to save Dr. Martin Salia, a Maryland surgeon who traveled to work in Ebola hotbed Sierra Leone. He died last month.

"He's a doctor. He treats patients and that's the part that's scary because you don't know who has the virus," said Maada Salia, Martin Salia's son.

Clinical trials began in September. This is the first time a vaccine has made it this far but there's still more work to be done.

Vaccine trials and airport screenings for those coming from Ebola-infected countries are ramping up, while health officials make room for more testing labs.

The US now has 35 Ebola-ready treatment centers---three of which are in Maryland! With 16,000 others infected in West Africa, it's a fight health officials say needs funding to slow the deadly surge of Ebola.

The worry is that lawmakers may make cutbacks as Congress is at odds over how to fund the government through December.

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