Moderna Launches First Norovirus Vaccine Trial in UK

A groundbreaking vaccine for norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, is set to be trialled in the UK, with hopes of alleviating the annual strain it places on the NHS, which incurs costs of around £100 million. The mRNA vaccine developed by Moderna will enter its final testing phase in the coming weeks, showing a promising immune response in preliminary results. Norovirus is responsible for approximately 12,000 hospital admissions each year in the UK and affects millions globally, causing gastrointestinal distress that can last two to three days. Dr. Patrick Moore, the chief investigator, noted that there are currently no approved vaccines for norovirus, and the only treatment available for severe cases is intravenous fluids. The trial aims to recruit 2,500 volunteers across 27 NHS hospitals in Britain, with half receiving the vaccine and half a placebo. The study seeks to determine the vaccine's efficacy and long-term protection against multiple strains of the virus, which has historically been elusive due to its genetic diversity.