Universal Coronavirus Vaccine Breakthrough: A Single Shot That Could Protect You From COVID, MERS, and the Common Cold
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Wong says the team’s new vaccine could also provide protection against coronaviruses that cause influenza and the common cold.
Ugh science reporting is terrible. “This new tool could stop the cockroaches that cause bedbugs.” See how stupid that sounds?
Influenza is caused by influenza viruses.
They researching for quite a while now. I really hope this will get to the market. Another bonus is, that it theoretically doesn't need to be rushed.
But the antivaccines movement will totally Lose it.
I know my state would find a way to ban this shit. They hate anything that prevents needless suffering.
*country
The EU will welcome your scientists and Pharma companies with open arms.
Hah; I can hear RFK jr already.
[Gravely voice] "Look if you want to put that unproven poison in your body I would not recommend doing when alternatives exist, like oranges, and Vitamin D, and death."
I’d be surprised if RFK used the Oxford Comma.
Also, fuck cancer. (Cancer vaccines may be next, the end of the article.)
I see this often, but cancer isn't caused by a viral infection. Are there vaccines that exist to prevent non-viral related diseases?
Some of them can be. HPV is the typical cause of cervical cancer, which is the one I can think of off the top of my head.
Not true at all. Viruses do induce cancer, likely much more than we realise. HPV is the clearest example, but also EBV and Hep B https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-019-0558-9
There are also several cancer vaccines showing success in stage 3 trials: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41591-023-00072-0
That's not actually true. There's a bunch of viruses that can cause cancer:
Vaccines could theoretically be used to train the immune system to essentially attack cancer cells in much the same way we already use immunotherapy. Though as far as I understand it, we have yet to fully develope one.
Vaccines at a simple level just train your immune system to attack certain proteins. If you could identify a protein that differentiates cancer cells from healthy cells then you could make a vaccine for cancer.
I do not have a degree in biology, take this info with a grain of salt. If a credentialed individual has better info, please speak up.
Tha's a new thing for me.
I wish they had detailed how the removal of glycans is accomplished. Alas, Wikipedia doesn't even have an article about "glycoengieering", which would likely be the term for this method.
Edit: oh, I also mistunderstood. I started thinking that it accomplishes removal of glycans from the invading virus, but instead it's only removal of glycans from the vaccine, exposing more of the virus, leading to more diverse antibodies. Which is far more doable, and not a big technical novelty. But apparently, quite useful. :)
Coronaviruses are not the only cause for what is considered the "common cold". I remember that some Rhinoviruses, Adenoviruses and I think a forth family of viruses also cause symptoms that are counted as a cold. It's kind of a catch all term.
Okay, sure. Then a third of all colds, which feels like a good start.
Sure, I'm not opposed either! Just want to make sure people here have the information needed to not be disappointed later.
Does it also contain the latest patches for my Autism?
FDA approval in never.
Latest FDA guidance: Take vitamin A, wash it down with raw milk, and attend virus spreading parties to build natural immunity.
FDA approval in never.
I'm not even bothering with FDA recommendations anymore with Kennedy in charge. I'll be reading the Canada Health and NHS (UK) notices. If it means crossing a national border to get a vaccine, I'm onboard.
there are some international pharm companies that produces vaccines, im sure they wouldnt mind doing it,. glaxo kline smith is one of them, although people have dislike the company for many reasons.
Hard for them to approve it if there is no FDA.
Theoretically, this could approved in Europe, which is fine for me. But I doubt the pharmaceutical industry will let a working, permanent immunisation against the common cold happen. That would mean billions and trillions of lost business.
I never understand it when this argument is made. It assumes that there aren't entities out there making $0 on the common cold that would refuse to take the absolute fucking windfall that would be generated if such an immunization were to be brought to the market.
Like "oh, you know, we'd like to make this immunization and make billions of dollars ourselves but these OTHER guys are already making billions of dollars and we sure wouldn't want to step on their toes."
its pretty hard to vaccinate against the common cold, since coronavirus only represents like 15ish percent, the majority are all rhinoviruses there arnt any vaccines for those because theres too many strains(like 200+) to deal with, and also its so self-limiting its not worht it to produce anyway, in addition to trying to figure out which virus is causing the cold and which strain. also there a bunch of other viruses that causes colds, like entero,adeno, parainfluenza, RSV,,,etc.
FDA? That still exists?
Meanwhile, in the U.S. I'm sitting here wondering if we'll even have a flu shot available for next winter, let alone a new vaccine that can protect from Covid and the common cold.
they actually did end up having the meeting on the 13th:
will it happen? idk but it's a good sign at least
Now consider that Scripps Research, who is developing this, is US-based and receives a lot of federal government funding, and that Trump/Musk/DOGE have been slashing and burning all kinds of federal science staffing and funding. Also consider that their main federal funding comes from HHS, which RFK Jr., notorious vaccine hater, heads.
Then weep. Progress on this may be stalled for a long time.
Maybe, or maybe some other country poaches them.
True, that could also happen, but I wonder how transferable this type of research project is. Does the research lead actually own it and can take it with him or her to a new place, or does Scripps own it? I don't know the answer.
It's not an question of if, it's a when thing at this point. Just like we happily scooped up talent fleeing the Nazis, someone is going to make it easy for highly skilled US citizens to bail. Probably Europe, since they seem to be stepping up to the plate in a lot of ways.
File --> export
Keep me updated on which countries approve its use so I can add them to my travel plans.
Make sure they're also countries that will give vaccines to foreigners. I had a hell of a time getting routine flu shots in Spain, Hungary and Thailand. The systems are often set up with the assumption that you're a citizen or have a national healthcare ID of some sort. Without that, good luck finding a clinic who will give you a shot.
They still won't take it.
Doesn't matter, they ll die by measels before anyway
They can die from it alone in their house. Stop going to the hospitals and infecting infants and newborns that can't get it.
This I want.
No way they'll let Americans have it
Think about all the capitalist profit businesses make for common cold symptoms alone, with over the counter meds and stuff.
No way something like this would be allowed in our current society.
Just an interesting thing to share… I lived in the US until I was 40 and moved to Norway. They just don’t sell “cold remedy” meds here, or at least not even close to the extent the US does. We have sore throat drops, and OTC pain relief. Some cough medicine but it’s pretty weak imo. I suspect this is because the expectation here is that if you’re sick, you take sick time off work. You can rest and recover. Going to the doc to get sick time approved is at most like $20 and if you and your doc have a good relationship, you can do this via email. In the US, you're expected to power through unless contagious and even then, just try to pretend you’re okay.
However, I'd expect businesses would also want to reduce cold and covid's impact on employee productivity? Wouldn't fewer employees needing to take sick time because of cold/covid increase their profits? Outside of businesses that profit from cold/covid, I don't see what the motivation for businesses would be against this vaccination.
But does that outweigh the amount of days lost from people taking sick days?
Oh sorry America. The civilised world would be making that calculation though.
Vaccine tourism will become a thing.
Knowing the current administration, it will end up just like abortion tourism... but instead of only being persecuted in red states, it will be federally outlawed.
medical tourism to places like india, thailand,,,etc for dental and medical treatment.
No FDA means no one to stop it! 😂
We'll have an fda, once they rip it to sheds they'll stock it with whoever they want to and then say look we fixed the fraud, listen to these guys now. Having a government agency that can say "no drug that competes with an oligarchs drug you can't be approved" or "yes, you can shove unproven computer tech into people brains" is far to powerful to throw completely away.
We’ve got a lot of Americans who want everything tested for 20 years to make sure your eyes don’t fall out after a decade.
Where can I get one?
After the most recent flu or cold I had. I would do anything for a cold vaccine. Flu shot likely kept me safe from that last bug I had. But still would like a cold vaccine to.
About a month ago I had the flu - the real flu - for the first time either in ages, or in my life, and I actually had gotten vaccinated in autumn, and man, I thought I was dying. For two weeks I couldn't do anything. Just looking at the stairs gave me endocarditis. I never run fevers and I was just popping painkillers to keep it under 40 degrees. That was nuts. So during and afterwards I mostly been thinking about three things: 1. I would have died for real if I didn't have some basic protection from the vaccine, 2. I want a vaccine against the common cold as well, and 3. Jesus Christ please I don't want to die from a stupid cold or flu, at least make it Covid, but that's such a lowball way to go
I had a similar experience, also a month ago. Lots of people I know had it similar the last few months. Is there another wave of this going around and this time I'm noticing?
Drowning is probably the best way to go excluding the obvious opiate overdose forever sleepy time. It's not drawn out like freezing to death.
I had the cold and COVID back-to-back. I felt much worse with the cold. It turned into a chest infection that took about three weeks to get over. And then right as I got over that, I caught COVID. I was just tired with COVID. Like I had a fever and some coughing, but aside from that I was just sleepy.
Joke’s on me though; That was over a year ago, and I still have long COVID. The coughing is gone, but I’m still fucking tired constantly. Doesn’t matter how much sleep I get. Ironically, it means I sleep a lot less, because if I’m going to be tired regardless, why waste the time being asleep?
I think "long covid" is something that has existed for a long time, well not long covid specifically but long term side effects of colds and flu.
A few years before covid I got a terrible cold or flu. Name a symptom of the flu and I probably had it, it was hard to even get myself to the toilet.
But what was so unique is even after the aches, the cough, and sore throat etc symptoms disappeared I didn't recover. I was exhausted. Even weeks later I'd fluctuate between days of being fine to the next barely able to get out of bed.
It took at least 3 months after traditional flu symptoms had finished till that started to taper off. And at least another 3 before I started feeling truly myself again.
cold might be harder since theres different viral species that causes it, and rhinoviruses alone account for 80-90% have 99 different types. flu is worst thought since its symptoms are more severe, and dangerous to some people.
I wonder how this could help those with long COVID.
long covid, aka sequelae (medical term) means you had a long last complication that seperate from the virus. the inflammation couldve damaged parts of your body you are chronically suffering from. it might not help, since its not caused by the virus anymore.
its basically like having PHN, or nerve damage after shingles, the vaccine wont help you with that.
So I've read up a good bit on this topic / issue. Many times long covid can be a result of the infection causing neural damage which then leads to long term inflammation. While this isn't the only reason for it, doing a protocol to repair damaged neural tissue and receptors has been effective with people I know. It has reduced or removed the symptoms they experience.
Many long COVID infections are causing/caused significant damage to organs (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11834749/). A vaccination isn't going to reverse organ damage.
I don't think it's going to help them. long covid is past the stage of virus infection. It's where the body is attacking itself.
It depends! Sometimes it's autoimmune, sometimes it's lingering virus, sometimes it's disrupted regulatory systems, etc. When it's the immune system or lingering virus, a new vaccine can often get the immune system to relearn how to correctly handle the virus
Doesn't chickenpox turn into shingles by infecting the nervous system?
Could long covid be related to that?
That is amazing. Yay good news :')
OK, so if I understand this correctly, they don't train the immune system to target these sugars, since they're used by human cells. Instead, they remove them during the vaccine administration so the immune system can train on the bare spike protein. Cool. Now how would this help when new virus copies come in with sugar-coated proteins, some time after the sugar stripping agent is gone from the system?
What they've found, from the article, and abstract (alas I didn't see any links to full text paper, which may come available after the ACS Spring 2025 meeting), is that they indeed do get an effective broad based immune response against coronaviruses. The 'sugar stripping agent' process is used in the production of the immunogen (basically a glycan stripped version of the more highly conserved spike protein that occurs in all/ many/ a lot of coronaviruses, i.e. which cause common cold, MERS, and COVID19), such that a broad based immune response is evoked when applying it, some time after the sugars (glycans) have already been stripped. Remember the spike is the consistent (conserved) part, and the glycans are the camouflage bits. Researchers have been trying to come up with something based on the spike protein for some time, and this is the sort of breakthrough that they've been working towards. Doubtless more info will be available after the research has been officially presented, March 23-27. (https://www.acs.org/meetings/acs-meetings/spring.html) So it's literally happening now. And may show up on Chi-Huey Wong's google scholar page (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=GQLirSoAAAAJ) or at Scripps/Sinica (https://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/chihueywong/)
Finally, someone speaking actual biology instead of paranoid rants. Impressive grasp of glycosylation and conserved epitope exposure - you've clearly done your reading beyond headlines. The sugar-stripping approach is ingenious precisely because it targets what viruses try to hide. Current research trajectory looks promising but I'll wait for peer-reviewed publications after that ACS meeting before joining the hype train.
🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱
How does the body target the real virus though if it has the camouflage? Can the body just bypass it if it knows whats beneath, but we've been training on the camouflage so it doesn't know?
Like, the camouflage doesn't offer any protection if seen through?
This didn't answer the question for me.
I get the 1st part: They've unhidden a stable spike protein hidden by sugars and used it to create an immune response.
The long-term effectiveness is where I'm getting lost. How will the immune system know when to use these particular anti-bodies in the future? If, say, 5 years after being vaccinated I'm infected, surely the relevant spike proteins are hidden by sugars. So how can my body recognise them as the same protein and make more of the correct anti-bodies?
I'm not a biologist, so forgive me for being a complete layperson about this - but to check my understanding, this means that the material in the vaccine itself ('immunogen') has had the sugar stripped, correct? In other words, if we think of the sugar as "armour" on the virus, the vaccine isn't injecting some sort of armor removing enzyme, it's sending "armourless training dummies" into your body that THEY used an enzyme on, so your immune cells can prepare to hit their "vital organs"?
Reading the abstract itself it was a bit hard to parse, but we do try!
Yeah I also don't understand this part. Can the antibodies targeting the bare spike protein attach to it despite the presence of the sugars? Or are there a few spike proteins in the virus which do not have the sugars, not enough to effectively develop antibodies but enough for already existing antibodies to attach to?
I may have missed it in the article, I'm not in life sciences so I don't have all the prerequisite knowledge for this
Edit: this came out sounding super negative, I'm actually super excited about this development and all I want is to understand a bit better how it works
from what ive gathered from the abstract,t he glycosolation prevents a more robust immune response, less antibody titers, when they removed it they noticed the immune system recognizes the spike proteins more easily so a stronger immune response and more antibody produced, and a longer titre of antibodies.
first when they removed the "glycans" it revealed more of the protein of the virus, so the immune system recognizes different parts or more of it, so stronger and longer last immune response. the conserved parts is the parts of the proteins that dont mutate much so its easier to become immune to it, the sugars originally hid that part.
Yes same, I see they've gotten a positive result so I assume there's a process, I just don't understand it.
CSIS go take this research and get it developed for the world
I'll believe it when I see it
I'll believe it right up the block to the pharmasave outlet, rolling up my sleeve as I go. I'm at the "please god just end it" phase of a wicked 'common' cold right now! :-D
Three microchips at once that's awesome!