A measles-based vaccine to protect children from rabies
Official title: A Single Shot Measles Vectored Rabies Vaccine for Children
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11450350 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, affordable measles-vectored vaccine is being developed to help prevent rabies in children, especially in places where dog bites are common.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $641,084 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI195907-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450350 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children at risk for rabies exposure in settings where current vaccines are not affordable or available.
✕Less likely to help
Children in regions with ready access to existing rabies vaccines may not gain additional benefit beyond current options.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a lower-cost rabies vaccine for children using a live-attenuated measles virus as the delivery platform. Researchers will modify the measles vaccine to carry rabies surface proteins so that immunization can protect kids without needing a separate costly rabies shot. The work involves preclinical testing of safety and immune responses in models that reflect human biology, with a focus on how well kids could tolerate and respond to the vaccine. If successful, the approach could simplify rabies prevention and reduce deaths globally. The grant covers development, formulation, and early testing to move toward a practical childhood immunization option.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine could lower the cost and increase the accessibility of rabies prevention for children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous measles-vectored vaccines show promise in delivering protective rabies antigens and have progressed through early development, though this exact approach is still under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kurup, Drishya — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Kurup, Drishya
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.