A new oral vaccine pill has shown promise in protecting against the highly contagious norovirus, which causes “winter vomiting”. Researchers believe it could potentially be available within a few years.
Norovirus infects the stomach and intestines, leading to severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Although most people recover quickly, young and older individuals are at risk of hospitalization with significant healthcare costs.
The virus affects millions of people worldwide each year, with estimated annual costs of over $10 billion in the US alone. To address this issue, scientists have developed a vaccine that focuses on generating protective antibodies in the intestine, where the virus replicates.
An early trial has found that the pill can produce norovirus-specific antibodies in the gut, but its effectiveness may be limited for younger individuals who generally recover from the virus quickly. The researchers are now working to refine their approach and make the vaccine available for use in the near future.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2470998-norovirus-vaccine-pill-shows-promise-against-winter-vomiting-bug