A new norovirus vaccine is on the horizon in the UK, with the potential to immunise individuals against the winter vomiting bug that leads to around 12,000 hospital admissions annually in the country. The Moderna jab, utilizing mRNA technology, is gearing up for its final testing phase, offering hope of a robust immune response that can combat the highly contagious virus. Dr. Patrick Moore, lead researcher at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), emphasised the significance of this development as there are currently no approved vaccines for norovirus worldwide.
The vaccine trial will encompass over two dozen NHS hospitals and centres across England, Scotland, and Wales, aiming to recruit 2,500 UK participants before the end of December. Half of the participants will receive the vaccine while the rest will receive a placebo, with monitoring planned for about 25 months. The target efficacy rate for the vaccine is set at 65% or higher, with plans for potential long-term immunity and seasonal use similar to the flu jab.
UK Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the burden that norovirus places on the NHS each winter, costing taxpayers approximately £100 million annually. Streeting expressed optimism about the potential of the vaccine to shift the focus towards prevention rather than treatment, ultimately relieving pressure on healthcare systems and keeping individuals well during colder months.
The trial is inclusive of adults from various backgrounds, with a specific call for individuals aged 60 and above due to their increased susceptibility to norovirus. Should the vaccine demonstrate effectiveness in adults, the study will explore its application for children. Moderna’s chief development officer, Dr. Melanie Ivarsson, expressed excitement about advancing the mRNA norovirus vaccine into a pivotal phase 3 trial in the UK, highlighting the potential benefits for global health systems.
Dr. Moore raised awareness about the severe complications of norovirus, particularly for older adults and immunocompromised individuals, with the virus claiming approximately 80 lives in the UK annually and 200,000 lives globally, including 50,000 children. Care homes are often at the forefront of outbreaks, but other settings such as hospitals, schools, and childcare facilities are also vulnerable. The government’s collaboration with Moderna aims to address these challenges and pave the way for a preventive solution to combat norovirus effectively.