Vaccines Developed In Boston Provide Protection Against Zika In Monkeys

BOSTON (CBS) - Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are making some great progress in coming up with a vaccine against Zika.

Working in partnership with Walter Reed Army Institute of Researchers, scientists have developed three experimental vaccines and all three provided unbelievable protection against Zika in rhesus monkeys, the closest cousins to humans.

Dr. Mallika had a chance to speak one-on-one with the lead researcher who says this initial data is very encouraging.

"The protection was striking," says Dr. Dan Barouch. "In the animals that did not receive the vaccine, all of them showed high levels of Zika virus in their bloodstreams. In the vaccinated animals, there was no sign of virus. So we were very excited about these results," adds Dr. Barouch.

Dr. Barouch says they hope to begin clinical trials in humans in October.

This lab is not the only one working on a Zika vaccine. The NIH has just launched a human trial with their experimental vaccine.