RECOMBINANT ZIKA VACCINES

The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules building the basis for immunogenic or vaccine compositions for use in a method of preventing or treating a Zika virus disease in a subject, wherein the at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises at least one recombinant Zika virus antigen, wherein the at least one recombinant Zika virus antigen is encoded by at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one E-protein of a Zika virus or a functional fragment or variant thereof. Further provided are recombinant chimeric viruses encoding and/or comprising selected antigens from a Zika virus. The sequences encoding at least one Zika virus antigen suitable for eliciting an immune response are operably linked to a non-flavivirus derived vector backbone. Further provided are methods for purifying the recombinant chimeric virus particles or the immunogenic composition to provide an immunogenic composition with a low level of process- or product-related impurities.