According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the norovirus, which is widespread worldwide, is the cause of a large proportion of gastrointestinal infections. Those who catch the virus suffer from nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. It is very contagious and can spread quickly from person to person.
There is not much that can be done preventively beyond general hygiene rules. There is currently no vaccine against the norovirus. However, doctors have now begun to test the world’s first mRNA vaccine against the norovirus.
Norovirus vaccine based on mRNA technology is being tested
The vaccine is to undergo a phase three clinical trial called Nova 301. In two years, 25,000 people, mainly over 60 years old, from countries such as Japan, Canada and Australia are to be involved, reports the Guardian. Mobile teams are also to be used to make it easier for people to participate in the trial.
Half of the participants are to receive the new mRNA vaccine and the other half a saline solution as a placebo. The assignment follows at random.
Various institutions of the British National Health Service (NHS) and the pharmaceutical company Moderna, which manufactures the vaccine, are involved in the study. The norovirus vaccine is based on an mRNA technology with which the company Moderna, but also Pizer/Biontech, have already produced a vaccine against the corona virus.
In an earlier trial with the new norovirus vaccine, strong immune reactions are said to have already been detected in humans. The study is now about investigating whether the vaccine is effective against the virus itself and, if so, how long the protection lasts. “At least 65 percent (efficacy) or more is what we would consider clinically sensible,” the Guardian quotes Dr. Doran Fink of Moderna.
Norovirus is a threat to old and sick people
Norovirus outbreaks are common in hospitals, nursing homes, daycare centers or schools. Especially for very young or old people and for anyone who has a weakened immune system, an infection can have serious consequences. A successful vaccine would help ensure that operations in nursing homes could be maintained normally, says Prof. Saul Faust of the University of Southampton, according to the report.
General practitioner and study leader Dr. Patrick Moore emphasizes how high the burden of norovirus is. Worldwide, there are about 685 million cases and 200,000 deaths every year. In the UK, there are about four million cases a year.
It is hoped that a vaccine could bring health and economic benefits. “In the UK, norovirus costs the NHS an estimated £100 million a year [and] if you take into account the loss of earnings, it’s about £300 million,” says Moore.
If the result of the study is positive, it is expected that it will be possible to submit an application for approval for the vaccine in 2026. However, the review process would take another up to a year. In addition, further studies on teenagers and younger people would be needed.
News
Two New Books From Frank Boehm, NA Founder – To be Released Dec. 2025
Molecular Manufacturing: The Future of Nanomedicine This book explores the revolutionary potential of atomically precise manufacturing technologies to transform global healthcare, as well as practically every other sector across society. This forward-thinking volume examines [...]
What could the future of nanoscience look like?
Society has a lot to thank for nanoscience. From improved health monitoring to reducing the size of electronics, scientists’ ability to delve deeper and better understand chemistry at the nanoscale has opened up numerous [...]
Scientists Melt Cancer’s Hidden “Power Hubs” and Stop Tumor Growth
Researchers discovered that in a rare kidney cancer, RNA builds droplet-like hubs that act as growth control centers inside tumor cells. By engineering a molecular switch to dissolve these hubs, they were able to halt cancer [...]
Platelet-inspired nanoparticles could improve treatment of inflammatory diseases
Scientists have developed platelet-inspired nanoparticles that deliver anti-inflammatory drugs directly to brain-computer interface implants, doubling their effectiveness. Scientists have found a way to improve the performance of brain-computer interface (BCI) electrodes by delivering anti-inflammatory drugs directly [...]
After 150 years, a new chapter in cancer therapy is finally beginning
For decades, researchers have been looking for ways to destroy cancer cells in a targeted manner without further weakening the body. But for many patients whose immune system is severely impaired by chemotherapy or radiation, [...]
Older chemical libraries show promise for fighting resistant strains of COVID-19 virus
SARS‑CoV‑2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues to mutate, with some newer strains becoming less responsive to current antiviral treatments like Paxlovid. Now, University of California San Diego scientists and an international team of [...]
Lower doses of immunotherapy for skin cancer give better results, study suggests
According to a new study, lower doses of approved immunotherapy for malignant melanoma can give better results against tumors, while reducing side effects. This is reported by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in the Journal of the National [...]
Researchers highlight five pathways through which microplastics can harm the brain
Microplastics could be fueling neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, with a new study highlighting five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain. More than 57 million people live with dementia, [...]
Tiny Metal Nanodots Obliterate Cancer Cells While Largely Sparing Healthy Tissue
Scientists have developed tiny metal-oxide particles that push cancer cells past their stress limits while sparing healthy tissue. An international team led by RMIT University has developed tiny particles called nanodots, crafted from a metallic compound, [...]
Gold Nanoclusters Could Supercharge Quantum Computers
Researchers found that gold “super atoms” can behave like the atoms in top-tier quantum systems—only far easier to scale. These tiny clusters can be customized at the molecular level, offering a powerful, tunable foundation [...]
A single shot of HPV vaccine may be enough to fight cervical cancer, study finds
WASHINGTON -- A single HPV vaccination appears just as effective as two doses at preventing the viral infection that causes cervical cancer, researchers reported Wednesday. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is very common and spread [...]
New technique overcomes technological barrier in 3D brain imaging
Scientists at the Swiss Light Source SLS have succeeded in mapping a piece of brain tissue in 3D at unprecedented resolution using X-rays, non-destructively. The breakthrough overcomes a long-standing technological barrier that had limited [...]
Scientists Uncover Hidden Blood Pattern in Long COVID
Researchers found persistent microclot and NET structures in Long COVID blood that may explain long-lasting symptoms. Researchers examining Long COVID have identified a structural connection between circulating microclots and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The [...]
This Cellular Trick Helps Cancer Spread, but Could Also Stop It
Groups of normal cbiells can sense far into their surroundings, helping explain cancer cell migration. Understanding this ability could lead to new ways to limit tumor spread. The tale of the princess and the [...]
New mRNA therapy targets drug-resistant pneumonia
Bacteria that multiply on surfaces are a major headache in health care when they gain a foothold on, for example, implants or in catheters. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have found [...]
Current Heart Health Guidelines Are Failing To Catch a Deadly Genetic Killer
New research reveals that standard screening misses most people with a common inherited cholesterol disorder. A Mayo Clinic study reports that current genetic screening guidelines overlook most people who have familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited disorder that [...]
