NHS to launch trial for world’s first norovirus vaccine

THE WORLD's first vaccine for norovirus, developed by US company Moderna, will be trialled on NHS patients this winter.

The vaccine, based on mRNA technology, aims to prevent the highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The Times reported that the trial will involve 2,500 participants, mostly elderly patients.

Norovirus infects around four million people annually in the UK, leading to 12,000 hospitalisations and about 80 deaths. There is currently no vaccine for the virus.

Moderna’s new vaccine, mRNA-1403, has shown a strong immune response to multiple strains of norovirus in earlier trials. The vaccine’s development is part of a ten-year partnership between the UK government and Moderna, which aims to position the UK as a leader in life sciences.

The trial will recruit participants from 27 NHS hospitals and clinics across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Mobile clinics may visit care homes and community sites to include elderly individuals. Half of the participants will receive the vaccine, while the other half will receive a placebo.

The trial will track the participants for around 25 months to assess the vaccine’s effectiveness, with researchers aiming for a 65 per cent or higher efficacy rate. If successful, the vaccine could be available on the NHS by 2026, The Times reported.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the burden norovirus places on the NHS, costing taxpayers around £100 million annually. He said the trial could shift the focus of the health system from treating illness to prevention.

Experts are hopeful that the vaccine will eventually be used seasonally, similar to the flu jab, or potentially offer lifelong immunity, The Times reported.

The trial is led by Dr Patrick Moore, a GP in Dorset, with participation from other countries including the US, Canada, and Japan.

Researchers hope the vaccine will reduce the impact of norovirus on healthcare systems and workplaces.