The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus is transmitted to humans through droplet infection from dromedary camels. The virus causes respiratory infections, which are severe in about 35 percent of cases and can be fatal. Human-to-human transmission is also possible. The vector-based vaccine candidate MVA-MERS-S has been researched up to clinical phase Ib and will now be developed further in a phase II study funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), in collaboration with IDT Biologika. Alongside the clinical development of the MVA-MERS-S vaccine candidate, preclinical testing is underway for a new, stabilized MVA-MERS-ST vaccine.