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Norovirus causes around 12,000 people to be admitted to hospital each year, and news of the start of a ground-breaking vaccine trial could ultimately help ease the ‘burden’ this virus places on the NHS. There are growing expectations.
At various times each winter, the NHS is forced to battle increased demand from respiratory illnesses, influenza, Covid-19 and norovirus.
Outbreaks of norovirus (the winter vomiting bug) not only lead to increased hospitalizations, mainly among the elderly, but also force hospital wards to close due to fear of the highly contagious virus spreading among patients.
The study’s lead researcher, Dr Patrick Moore, said older people and immunocompromised patients are usually at higher risk of serious complications and death from norovirus, which affects around 80 people a year in the UK and around 200,000 people worldwide. of the deaths, 50,000 of whom are children. .
The main aim of this vaccine, if it is brought into general use, is that it could potentially reduce pressure on the NHS and care services, as mortality and severity rates are not very high.
Data published by NHS England shows that between November 20th and March 1st last year, on average more than 500 beds were occupied by patients with symptoms of norovirus or vomiting bugs. The number of beds reached its highest level of 900 beds on December 13th.
This may seem small in the context of the NHS’s 100,000-plus bed plans, but it puts enormous pressure on a system that is constantly bursting at the seams.
The benefits could also be broader, as around two-thirds of outbreaks also affect nursing homes and schools.
This isn’t just about sick patients. The vaccine could also help prevent absenteeism among healthcare staff, with current NHS policy saying that staff who develop symptoms of norovirus should leave work and not return until two days after their symptoms have subsided. has been done.
Norovirus shots won’t eliminate this bug, but similar to coronavirus shots, they could significantly reduce the impact on health care systems.
What is a norovirus vaccine trial?
The trial is being carried out in collaboration with pharmaceutical giant Moderna, the Department of Health and Social Care, the National Institute for Health Research and the UK Health and Safety Executive.
Recruitment of members of the public to participate in the trial will begin within two weeks, with half receiving the vaccine and the other half receiving a placebo.
Participants will be studied over 25 months and researchers hope the results will show the jab is more than 65 per cent effective.
This new clinical trial is part of a 10-year strategic partnership between the government and Moderna, which is building new mRNA research, development and manufacturing facilities and investing in clinical trials in the UK.
How do new vaccines work?
The jab uses mRNA technology to tell the immune system to recognize “foreign” proteins on the virus and mount an attack. In this case, three major strains of norovirus are targeted.
mRNA technology was used in the development of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine and is also being tested to produce personalized cancer vaccines as a form of immunotherapy treatment.
Researchers said it was not yet known whether the jab would be given annually or over a longer period of time, and how long it would be effective would depend on the results of trials. However, researchers said a multivalent vaccine that can deal with new variants will be needed.
