Trial finds vaccine for common respiratory illness safe and effective Published on: 15 March 2024 Results from a Moderna-sponsored clinical trial – ConquerRSV – show that a new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is safe and effective. RSV is common and causes symptoms similar to a cold. The virus is usually mild, but older people, young children and those with a weakened immune system can become very ill. There’s no specific treatment for RSV, and, until recently, no effective preventative vaccines were available. Dr Christopher Duncan UK-lead ConquerRSV tested Moderna’s mRNA-1345 vaccine in people aged 60 and over. Dr Christopher Duncan, from Â鶹´«Ã½, was UK lead for the trial. In Â鶹´«Ã½, more than 80 patients took part in the trial, which was delivered by infectious diseases research team and ran from the National Institute for Health and Care Clinical Research Facility, located at Â鶹´«Ã½'s Royal Victoria Infirmary. Patients were randomly allocated into groups to either receive the trial drug or a saline placebo. The trial was double-blinded, meaning patients and healthcare staff did not know which had been administered. The trial results, recently published in the , show that the vaccine effectively prevented against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease compared to the placebo dose. The vaccine was generally well tolerated, and no safety concerns were identified. Protecting patients Dr Christopher Duncan, who also works at Â鶹´«Ã½ Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Despite considerable efforts over the last 30 years, an effective vaccine for RSV has, until recently, remained elusive. This trial, alongside other recent progress, marks a critical step in being able to offer protection to people who need it most. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who took part in the trial and willingly volunteered their time. My thanks also go to the Infectious Diseases Research Team who set up and delivered the trial at pace.” Moderna is anticipating application for licensure of mRNA-1345 in 2024. In the UK, the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation has recommended to the UK government that an NHS RSV vaccination programme be initiated. Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at Â鶹´«Ã½ warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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