As reported by the Guardian, doctors are testing the world’s first norovirus vaccine, aiming to protect vulnerable groups and reduce the virus’s widespread impact
Doctors have begun trialling the world’s first vaccine against the vomiting bug norovirus in the hope the jab could bring huge health and economic benefits. Norovirus causes sickness and diarrhoea and can spread very rapidly among people who are in close contact, with outbreaks often occurring in hospitals, care homes, schools and nurseries. While most people recover within two to three days, the virus can be serious, particularly for the very young, elderly or people with a weakened immune system.
Called Nova 301, the phase 3 clinical trial is to run for two years and will enrol 25,000 adults – with a focus on those over the age of 60 – from countries including Japan, Canada and Australia.
In total, 27 NHS primary and secondary care sites in England, Scotland and Wales will be involved in the trial, with about 2,500 participants to be recruited from late October. Within the trial, half of the participants will be randomly allocated to receive the new vaccine, and the other half will receive a saline shot as a placebo.
The norovirus vaccine is based on mRNA technology – an approach used by companies such as Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech in the development of their Covid jabs.
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