Israeli researchers reported complete protection against pneumonic plague in specified mouse experiments in 2025, more than a year before a Russian anti-plague laboratory employee died from an unexplained illness. The experimental mRNA vaccine was developed by researchers at Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research.
The findings, published in 'Advanced Science' on 25 April 2025, concern animal research rather than demonstrated protection in people. Russian authorities have not confirmed that the deceased worker had plague, and the research does not establish that the vaccine could have prevented her death.
