The FPS Public Health and the FAMHP invite you to participate in the public consultation on a clinical trial of the genetically modified vaccine MV-NiV for the prevention of Nipah virus infection. The public consultation will take place from 13 October to 12 November 2025.
For each clinical trial application for the use of a genetically modified organism, the government organises a thirty-day public consultation, in accordance with the Royal Decree of 21 February 2005. As a citizen, you can give your opinion on this clinical trial application with a genetically modified vaccine.
The Nipah virus is a dangerous and potentially fatal virus that can infect both animals and humans. Human infection occurs mainly through contact with infected bats or pigs, but the virus can also spread from person to person. Infection can lead to fever, confusion and breathing problems, among other symptoms. In severe cases, encephalitis, a dangerous brain infection, can also occur. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available.
In this clinical trial, the experimental MV-NiV vaccine will be administered by subcutaneous injection in a single dose or in two consecutive doses four weeks apart. The vaccine was made by genetically modifying a weakened version of the measles virus. This measles strain has been used safely in vaccines around the world for decades and has helped protect millions of people from measles. To create the MV-NiV vaccine, the genetic code for a specific surface protein of the Nipah virus, glycoprotein G (NiV-G), was added to the measles virus. The addition of this protein helps the immune system recognise the Nipah virus and protect against it.
The aim of this trial is to assess the safety and immunogenicity of MV-NiV vaccine in healthy, unexposed volunteers aged 18 to 40 years.
The clinical trial will take place at Centre for Vaccinology (CEVAC) in Ghent.
How to give your opinion?
The public consultation runs from 13 October to 12 November 2025 inclusive. You can access the various data in the application file, as well as an online form to send your comments or ask your questions.
General information on GMO - public consultation.