Scientists Developing 'Universal' Covid Vaccine In US University, Trial Reaches Final Stages: Reports

Scientists from the University of North Carolina (UNC), USA have been working on a universal vaccine, which can be effective against Covid-19 variants. According to the information, the new vaccine will be effective against other variants, including the ongoing strain of the Covid-19 virus that spreads from animals to humans. 

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New Delhi; New variants of Covid-19 have become a cause of concern globally. The capability of the Covid-19 virus to mutate into more dangerous variants has led to scientists working on a universal vaccine to contain it. The main advantage of the new vaccine will be that it will be effective against the novel variants of Covid-19. Scientists at the University of North Carolina (UNC) of America, working on the vaccine, are preparing it based on mRNA technology. This is the same technology that Pfizer and Moderna have used to prepare their Covid-19 vaccine. 

The vaccine is currently being tested on mice and these trials are in their final stages. According to scientists, during the trial of this vaccine on mice, the animals made effective antibodies that worked against multiple spike proteins. Viruses use these spike proteins to attack healthy cells of the body. The trial also included B.1.351 variants of coronavirus found for the first time in South Africa. During the trials on mice, it was also found that this vaccine has also been very effective in preventing infection.

Human trial may begin by next year 

As per scientists, the final phase of the trial of this vaccine on mice is underway and if all goes well then human trials may begin next year. According to Ralph Baric, an epidemiologist at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, "The specialty of this vaccine is that it can work effectively against the new variant of the Covid-19 when detected and can also help prevent it from spreading."

According to another scientist involved in the research, David Martinez, "The results of our research so far are looking very good for the future. With the information we have received, we can develop a universal Covid-19 vaccine to effectively fight against new variants of the virus."

According to scientists, no one knows which virus will cause the next epidemic around the world, so we have to prepare now to avoid another pandemic in future