Could vaccine for winter vomiting bug be near?

Participants say they have signed up to help with the norovirus vaccine trial as a way of "giving back"

There is currently no licensed vaccine for norovirus – commonly known as the winter vomiting bug – but are scientists getting closer to finally finding a jab that works?

Volunteers are being recruited across the south to take part in clinical trials.

The Nova 301 trial will take about two years and has been sponsored by the pharmaceutical company Moderna.

It is taking place across the country, including in Bournemouth, Weymouth, Portsmouth and Oxfordshire.

Alex, 77, has signed up to help with the trial for a norovirus vaccine

Alex is one of the participants of the trial.

He said: “At 77 years old, despite being fairly fit and healthy, if I got norovirus and there was nothing there to help me, I would be really worried.”

Fellow participant, Dennis, said he wanted to take part as it was a chance to “give back to the NHS”.

Claire Conlan, a ward sister at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said a vaccine would be "amazing".

She explained: "I have been nursing here for 20 years and have seen some catastrophic winters with patients that have been so unwell, so it would be an absolute miracle to give them that vaccine.”

Dr Patrick Moore says outbreaks of norovirus has "huge consequences"

The Nova 301 Trial is looking to recruit approximately 25,000 people globally to see if an investigational mRNA vaccine can protect people against the symptoms caused by the norovirus stomach bug.

Participants will receive either the investigational vaccine or a placebo jab.

Dr Patrick Moore, who is the national chief investigator of the Nova 301 trial, said: “Outbreaks of norovirus have huge consequences, both on our health systems and our economy. If you’re interested in helping us advance healthcare, please do come forward to take part in this innovative trial.”

People taking part in the Nova 301 Trial must be 18 years of age or over, in good health and should not currently have a chronic gastrointestinal disease.