Key considerations: Introducing experimental vaccines during health emergencies

This brief provides an overview of the experimental stages of vaccine development during a disease outbreak and highlights key considerations at each stage from a social science perspective. This brief complements a recent SSHAP publication that synthesised social and behavioural science (SBS) evidence on vaccine trials in health emergencies. This brief outlines designs and approaches to introducing experimental vaccines during health emergencies. It then presents the SBS and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) dimensions to consider with the introduction of experimental vaccines. The final section presents an overview of the use of experimental vaccines in recent health emergencies – including Ebola virus disease (EVD) and COVID-19 – and the associated SBS and RCCE considerations.

This brief will be useful to humanitarian workers, social scientists, policymakers and people responsible for designing research or providing guidance during health emergencies, including scientists and communications specialists. The brief is based on a rapid review of published academic and grey literature, media reports and professional experience.