Saturday 10 December 2011

Norovirus Vaccine Provides Significant Protection


A study involving 84 volunteers showed that an experimental norovirus vaccine provided considerable protection against infection and symptoms of gastroenteritis, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine reported in NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine). The authors added that theirs is the first study to show protection from norovirus illness due to a vaccine. To date, the only treatment for norovirus illness is to take plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, and drugs to treat the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.

First author, Dr. Robert Atmar, said:

"This study shows it is feasible to make a vaccine that will protect against norovirus infection and the illness it causes.

Given the number of norovirus infections that occur annually and the healthcare costs associated with these infections, it is worthwhile to continue the investigation of vaccine candidates to prevent this illness caused by these viruses."


The study initially involved 90 healthy individuals aged from 18 to 50 years at four sites across the USA. They were divided into two groups:
  • The vaccine group - they were administered the vaccine as a powder in the nose (intranasally) in two doses

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