"Developing 2nd Generation Vaccine Against Variant Virus... Clinical Trials Imminent"

The Goal Is to Directly Reduce Virus Infectivity

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Countries around the world are developing vaccines to respond to COVID-19 variant viruses.

On the 21st (local time), The Guardian reported, "Various vaccines that can effectively respond to variant viruses are currently being developed," adding, "Researchers in each country are developing vaccines that show common immune effects against various variant types and vaccines that block the transmission routes of the virus itself." Some vaccines are also approaching clinical trials.

The vaccines currently being administered worldwide aim to prevent the worsening of symptoms in COVID-19 patients and reduce infectivity. However, it has not been verified how effective these vaccines are in actually curbing the spread of the virus. For this reason, new vaccines targeting the direct reduction of infectivity are being developed.

In fact, a vaccine jointly developed by the University of Nottingham and the pharmaceutical company Scancell is being developed with the goal of directly exerting immune effects on the virus, and clinical trials are expected to begin soon. Additionally, the University of Bristol is developing a vaccine that blocks the infection route of the virus at its source by directly administering it to the upper respiratory tract (from the nostrils or mouth to the larynx).

Adam Finn, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Bristol, said, "We are researching with the goal of significantly reducing transmission by acting directly on the route through which the virus invades," adding, "If development is successful, it is expected to effectively respond to variant viruses with enhanced infectivity."

Deborah Dunn-Walters, a professor of immunology at the University of Surrey, also emphasized the need for vaccines focused on reducing infectivity. She said, "The vaccines currently distributed only reduce the possibility of virus transmission by 50%," adding, "A vaccine that drastically reduces infectivity must be developed to end the COVID-19 crisis."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.