The world’s first vaccine for norovirus, commonly known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, is due to enter its final stages of testing within the next two weeks. Experts believe this new mRNA vaccine from Moderna could stop people developing the nasty virus, which is linked to around 12,000 hospital admissions in the UK every year. The jab uses mRNA technology to tell the immune system to recognise a “foreign” protein on viruses and mount an attack, in this case targeting three major strains of norovirus.
Commenting on this progress, health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting said: “A successful vaccine will help shift our health system away from sickness and towards prevention – reducing pressure on the NHS and keeping people well during the colder months.” But what is norovirus and what symptoms do we need to look out for? What is norovirus? “Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines,” explains Dr Chun Tang, GP at Pall Mall Medical. “It spreads easily through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or direct contact with an infected person.
“You can also get it by touching surfaces that have the virus on them and then putting your hands in your mouth, or by eating food that’s been handled by someone who has the virus.” Norovirus is often mistakenly associated with the flu. “Unlike respiratory viruses like influenza, norovirus specifically targets the gastrointestinal s.