Prospects from mRNA technology vaccines

BELGIUM mRNA technology can be applied to produce vaccines to prevent pathogens such as seasonal flu, Covid-19 and shingles, reducing the global health burden.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, messenger RNA technology, also known as mRNA, has been in the spotlight for its important role in infectious disease prevention. After the success of the Covid-19 vaccine, pharmaceutical company Pfizer continues to research a number of other vaccines, with the goal of repelling many pathogens for which there is no effective, long-term prevention method.

Two-in-one vaccine prevents Covid-19 and flu

During a press conference in Brussels, October 24, Dr. Mark Fletcher, Medical Lead for Respiratory Vaccines at Pfizer Emerging Markets , called influenza "the holy grail of science for decades." Every time new technology becomes available, scientists test it on the flu.

"What's remarkable with mRNA technology is its combinatorial capabilities. With just one injection, you can target many different viruses," he said.

Taking advantage of that, scientists tested a two-in-one vaccine, preventing both flu and Covid-19. Data shows that vaccine users have strong immune responses to influenza A, influenza B and Covid-19 strains.

With just one shot, the vaccine reduces the effects of two respiratory diseases, potentially simplifying vaccination for both patients and health care systems around the world, said Dr. Annaliesa Anderson, vice president Senior President and Head of Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, commented.

Senior manufacturing manager Ben Mees at the Pfizer manufacturing plant in Puurs, Belgium. Photo: Pfizer

Tikki Pangestu, visiting professor at Yong Loo Lin Medical School, National University of Singapore, former director of Policy Research of the World Health Organization (WHO), believes that this vaccine is necessary in the current context. .

Responding to VnExpress , he said that what is worrying is that Covid-19 cases are not reported. "When the tragedy of the pandemic passed and authorities declared Covid-19 an endemic pathogen, similar to the common flu, concerns began," he said.

He said Covid-19 remains a top public health priority worldwide, with about 700 million infections and 6 million deaths to date. New mutations increase the spread of the virus, which could lead to some serious infections. Therefore, vaccines are an effective weapon to prevent this concern.

Seasonal flu vaccine

Experts consider seasonal flu to be one of the significant medical burdens on public health. The virus causes 3-4 million serious infections each year globally, causing 15,000-70,000 deaths in Europe each year.

Dr. Julia Spinardi, senior medical director for Covid-19 in emerging markets at Pfizer, said low vaccine effectiveness is one of the causes of this health burden. Therefore, one of the long-term goals of the company and its partner BioNTech is to find ways to create a more effective influenza vaccine based on mRNA. Technology allows shortening development time, helping vaccines respond quickly to the evolution of influenza viruses.

Since September 2022, scientists have begun phase three clinical trials with a flu vaccine based on mRNA technology. The trial involved about 36,000 people at more than 200 locations, taking advantage of flu season in the US. Experts will evaluate the safety, effectiveness and tolerability of the vaccine. They hope to be able to develop an injection that accurately prevents circulating virus strains, creating a strong immune response in users.

Some finished vaccine vials in Pfizer's factory at Pfizer in Puurs, Belgium. Photo: Pfizer

Shingles vaccine

In early 2023, Pfizer announced the start of phase one and two trials, investigating the safety and tolerability of its shingles vaccine (also known as herpes zoster). The vaccine is called Varicella Zoster Virus modRNA (VZV modRNA). The trial is expected to attract about 900 healthy volunteers, aged 50 to 69. Phase one of the study helps select the optimal mRNA vaccine dose, injection schedule and preparation formula to move to the next phase. two.

Currently, the world has an approved shingles vaccine, scientists aim to use mRNA technology to produce highly effective, well-tolerated shots that can be produced on a large scale worldwide. bridge.

According to Dr. Spinardi, there are an estimated 1.7 million cases of shingles annually in Europe. Of these, 1-4% of patients are hospitalized because of complications, 10-80% of which have nerve pain, even when the disease is in remission. This affects the quality of life of patients.

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