A recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports found that a new type of vaccine comprised of the virus Covid (Coventry strain vira) had the potential to temporarily alter a woman’s menstrual cycle. This specific vaccine targets respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The report suggests that as RSV is spread through sneezing and coughing, an RSV-based vaccine would cause major adaptations in order to prevent widespread infection.
Development of the covid vaccine
Development of the vaccine was launched in 2014 by scientists at National Institute for Biological Standards, UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Warwick University. The development of the vaccine was a part of a project that includes over 30 similarly engineered vaccines.
“Our research shows that this innovative new technology could have the potential to enhance immunisation against the most common causes of childhood diseases, including RSV-related infections in adults,” said lead author Richard Parker from Warwick University’s Department of Pharmacology. “If these results can be reproduced with other vaccines, it could make a significant difference to human health. However, further research is needed to fully understand the potential advantages and disadvantages of this new class of vaccine.”
Drawbacks of the vaccine
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia for infants and young children. It affects about half a million people hospital each year in the United States alone, making it also one of the leading causes of hospitalization among children. Additionally, 3%–5% of people infected with RSV will require hospitalization. Approximately 100-200 babies die annually in the U.S. due to severe RSV infections according to a 2011 study published in the journal Pediatrics.
“A high proportion of our population gets infected with RSV, including 13% of pregnant women. The vaccine will reduce the amounts of medication and healthcare bills needed to treat patients. The vaccine can be used in healthy people who are around newborns to help prevent infection,” said author Patrice Lalive from the National Institute for Biological Standards, UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The Covid vaccine is a genetically engineered version of the Coventry strain of RSV. This particular strain was isolated from an 8-day-old baby boy in Coventry, England back in 1966. The researchers looked for viral proteins that might stimulate an immune response, including those proteins located on the virus’ envelope.
This study, if confirmed by further research, could change how we view RSV and how it is transmitted, as well as how women perceive this respiratory disease.
