The world’s first vaccine against norovirus – one of the main causes of vomiting and diarrhea – is being tested in Great Britain.
Moderna’s new messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine will enter the final stages of testing in the next two weeks, with results so far showing it produces a “robust immune response”.
Experts believe that the vaccine stops the development of gastroenteritis, a disease of the gastrointestinal tract associated with vomiting and diarrhea.
The vaccine uses messenger RNA technology to make the immune system recognize a “foreign” protein in viruses and mount an attack. The vaccine is designed to fight three main strains of the virus, which are responsible for more than two-thirds (67%) of norovirus cases in 2023/24.
Dr. Patrick Moore, the study’s scientific leader, said there are currently no approved vaccines against norovirus anywhere in the world, and the only treatment available to people with this severe illness in hospital is intravenous fluids.
Dr Moore added: ‘About one in five cases of gastroenteritis is caused by norovirus, which is highly contagious. It causes vomiting and diarrhea, usually for two to three days. It affects people of all ages and peaks in the winter months, but also occurs throughout the year.’
“Modern” will analyze whether the vaccine should be used seasonally – like the flu shot – or whether it can provide lifelong immunity.
The company hopes to submit UK marketing applications in 2026 for the vaccine to be approved by health regulators.
The US, Canada and Japan are also participating in the study, with Australia possibly also involved. A total of around 25,000 people are expected to be recruited for testing worldwide.
