An emerging-infectious-diseases researcher with the U.S. Army, Dr. [Kayvon] Modjarrad is pursuing a vaccine to protect against a range of coronaviruses that cause disease in humans—including Covid-19 variants that might elude today’s vaccines.
The goal is to prevent the next new one from spreading around the globe. Such a shot might even stop coronaviruses that cause some common colds.
Three deadly new coronaviruses emerged in the past 18 years, including the virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome or MERS, and scientists warn another is likely. Many animals, including bats and rabbits, carry coronaviruses that can spread to humans. Millions of people around the world are being exposed to the pandemic virus, SARS-CoV-2, raising the risk that new, vaccine-resistant variants will arise, scientists say.
“We need to work proactively on these viruses and many, many others,” said David Veesler, a University of Washington School of Medicine biochemist whose lab is testing an experimental vaccine against a group of coronaviruses.
Scientists have spent years trying to develop a universal vaccine against influenza—without success yet. Coronaviruses, which mutate less often and have fewer distinct lineages, may be an easier target.
