October 23, 2024

mRNA vaccine candidate for norovirus – the start of an RCT

Norovirus, a virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea, can be a particular problem in closed settings which have high numbers of vulnerable (e.g. elderly) people, such as care home and cruise ships.  But we’ve never had a vaccine against norovirus.

Now, a phase 3 randomised controlled trial of a new norovirus vaccine candidate is being launched in the UK and globally, to investigate whether the vaccine works.

The vaccine candidate is an mRNA vaccine, produced by Moderna, and the trial is being run as a collaboration between the NIHR, Moderna and DHSC.

Journalists came to this SMC briefing to hear from those running the trial about what the vaccine is, how it works, what data so far has suggested about whether it will work, how the trial will be run and how it will recruit those most at risk from norovirus, etc.

Speakers included: 

Dr Patrick Moore, Chief Investigator of the study, and GP

Prof Saul Faust, Professor of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Southampton, and NIHR Vaccination Innovation Pathway co clinical lead

Dr Melanie Ivarsson, Chief Development Officer, Moderna