The US Army is leading the race to develop a universal COVID vaccination that might put an end to coronavirus outbreaks.
Many specialists are discussing yearly boosters or variant-specific vaccines in light of the extremely contagious omicron variation and the resulting significant surge in COVID-19 cases.
But what if there was a universal coronavirus vaccination that could protect against omicron as well as all new COVID-19 variants?
Several institutes and colleges are working on “pan-coronavirus” vaccinations, but the US Army has generated the most headlines thus far thanks to promising early results.
The US Army stated in December that the spike ferritin nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccine (aka SpFN), a pan-coronavirus vaccine, had completed Phase 1 human trials with positive results.
Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director of infectious diseases at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) and co-inventor of SpFN, told Defense One, “We’re testing our vaccine against all the different variants, including omicron,” the strain causing breakthrough infections even in people who have received booster shots.
SpFN, however, still needs to go through Phase 2 and 3 human studies to see how effective and safe it is in comparison to current treatments, according to Modjarrad.
We’ll go over what we know about pan-coronavirus vaccinations, including how the Army’s COVID-19 vaccine works and when it might be available.
Learn about free COVID testing at home, why you shouldn’t “just get COVID over with,” how to mix and match booster doses, and the differences between N95, KN95, and KF94 masks for more information.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House Chief Medical Adviser, recently emphasized the significance of a universal vaccine that protects against all COVID types.
According to Fauci, a universal COVID vaccine “would mean that the initial immunization would cover all of these small mutations, so you wouldn’t have to worry” in an interview with NBC.
Why do we need a pan-coronavirus vaccine?
“We want a pan-coronavirus vaccine so that you can respond to the next viral pandemic with it on the shelf,” Fauci added.
“At the end of the day, you want a vaccine that protects everything.”
In fall 2021, Fauci’s organization, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made a big commitment to that goal, awarding $36.3 million to three academic institutions to develop and research pan-coronavirus vaccines: Duke University, University of Wisconsin, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
What is the COVID vaccination used by the US Army?
The three COVID-19 vaccines now approved for use in the United States utilize two ways to preventing infection: Pfizer and Moderna use mRNA to create immunity, while Johnson & Johnson uses a harmless rhinovirus to teach the body’s immune system to respond to COVID.
The Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccination, often known as SpFN, uses a harmless fraction of the COVID-19 virus to boost the body’s COVID defenses.
SpFN also has less storage and handling restrictions than the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, allowing it to be employed in more settings.
According to military scientists, it may be stored between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit for up to six months and at room temperature for up to one month.
Pfizer’s vaccine must be shipped and stored in an ultracold freezer (between minus 112 and minus 76 degrees F), and it is only stable for 31 days in a refrigerator.
How does the Army’s COVID-19 and other coronavirus vaccine work?
Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccines all target the same virus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
However, Army scientists created a vaccine that protects against future COVID strains as well as other coronaviruses.
The Army’s SpFN vaccination has 24 faces and is shaped like a soccer ball.
The spikes of several coronavirus strains can be attached to each of the different faces, allowing scientists to modify the vaccine for any new COVID variants that emerge.
When will the COVID vaccine for the Army be available?
There is no definite date. In December, SpFN finished animal testing and Phase 1 of human trials, but it still needs to complete Phases 2 and 3 of human testing to compare its safety and efficacy to current vaccine choices.
Normally, it takes up to five years to complete all three phases, but the COVID-19 epidemic is hastening the process.
The vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson, for example, were studied, reviewed, and approved by the FDA over the course of a year.
Source; CNET
