Trials for the first norovirus vaccine. What is “vomiting disease” and when will we be able to immunize

Trials have begun for the world’s first norovirus vaccine, and if things go as expected, in two years we will be able to immunize ourselves against the disease. And we’re not talking about any disease, because norovirus can come with some of the most serious symptoms and complications.

Norovirus mainly affects young children with weakened immune systems. Source: archive

Called Nova 301, the phase 3 clinical trial will run for two years and will involve tests on a sample of 25,000 adults, mainly people over the age of 60 in countries such as Japan, Canada and Australia, writes The Guardian.

In the study, half of the participants will receive the new vaccine, and the other half will receive a saline injection as a placebo. The norovirus vaccine will be based on mRNA technology, the same technology that underlies the coronavirus vaccines.

The research team stated that the vaccine, once administered, will generate a strong immune response. The study, however, tries to find answers to several questions: if the vaccine is effective, what will be its effectiveness and how long the body’s protection will last after the first immunization.

If the tests are successful, it is expected that in 2026 a marketing application will be submitted to regulate the use of the serum.

What is Norovirus, the disease that puts us straight in the hospital

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the digestive tract. This is also known as “viral gastroenteritis” or “vomiting disease”. Norovirus is hardy and spreads easily, especially in crowded environments such as schools, restaurants, cruise ships, and health care facilities.

Symptoms and mode of transmission

Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. These symptoms may appear shortly after exposure and last from a few days to a week. For most people, norovirus infection is unpleasant but self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own. However, for people with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions, norovirus can be extremely dangerous.

Norovirus is spread by direct contact with an infected person, by eating contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face, mouth, or other exposed areas of the body.

Norovirus, prevention and control

Preventing the spread of norovirus is crucial to reducing its incidence. Personal hygiene measures such as frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food, can help prevent the spread of the virus. It is also important to avoid consuming contaminated food or water and to sanitize frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and elevator buttons.

In case of outbreaks in schools, care centers or cruise ships, additional control measures are often necessary. These may include the temporary closure of affected institutions, intensive sanitization of surfaces and limiting contact between infected and healthy people.