The Chimeric Binjari-Zika Vaccine Provides Long-Term Protection against ZIKA Virus Challenge

We recently developed a chimeric flavivirus vaccine technology based on the novel insect-specific Binjari virus (BinJV) and used this to generate a chimeric ZIKV vaccine (BinJ/ZIKA-prME) that protected IFNAR(-/-) dams and fetuses from infection. Herein, we show that a single vaccination of IFNAR(-/-) mice with unadjuvanted BinJ/ZIKA-prME generated neutralizing antibody responses that were retained for 14 months. At 15 months post vaccination, mice were also completely protected against detectable viremia and substantial body weight loss after challenge with ZIKV(PRVABC59). BinJ/ZIKA-prME vaccination thus provided long-term protective immunity without the need for adjuvant or replication of the vaccine in the vaccine recipient, both attractive features for a ZIKV vaccine.

Automated summary

A chimeric flavivirus vaccine based on Binjari virus was developed and utilized to generate a chimeric ZIKV vaccine. Vaccination with the unadjuvanted chimeric vaccine induced long-lasting neutralizing antibody responses and provided full protection against ZIKV infection in mice.