With many nations still struggling to get the life-saving COVID-19 shots, a single-dose oral vaccine would be a game-changer. It would eliminate the need for two shots, complex storage facilities, and professionally-trained healthcare workers to administer the shots. Here’s the latest update on the COVID vaccine pill being developed in Israel.
The Prospective Oral Coronavirus Vaccine Is Set To Start Clinical Trials
Oramed Pharmaceuticals has formulated a prospective single-dose COVID vaccine. And in March, they announced that they successfully generated antibodies in pigs. With this identified potential, the prospective oral pill is now set to start clinical trials in Israel.
Experts say this could be a game-changer.
Since the oral pill wouldn’t need cold storage facilities and the administration is simple, it would help many countries where vaccination efforts need additional support.
Authorities involved in the development of the vaccine also believe that “the formula is particularly robust in the face of new variants.”
The Potential of the COVID Vaccine Pill
If the COVID vaccine pill generated antibodies in pigs, does it mean it has great potential?
Oramed CEO Nadav Kidron, who calls the prospective vaccine, Oravax, explained that where the shots only target one SARS-CoV-2 surface protein, his pill targets three.
Furthermore, the proteins it targets are not prone to mutation; hence it will “keep the vaccine effective in the face of new variants.”
Israel Is Already One Step Ahead
Israel already has the means to develop a COVID vaccine pill because they’re a step ahead when it comes to vaccination efforts. In fact, they are the first country in the world to fully vaccinate the majority of its citizens.
Now, they are also planning to give booster shots to their fully vaccinated immunocompromised citizens.
However, there’s still a growing suggestion that should we need booster shots, they need not be the same formulation as the initial jabs. Additionally, some experts believe that mixing and matching different vaccine brands would be beneficial.
UPDATE:
Oramed Pharamaceutical’s Oravax has already received the approval of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority to begin their Phase 1 human clinical trial . The company also expects this trial to run concurrently with the one set in Tel Aviv once they finalize the approval from Israel’s Health Ministry.
Kidron added that their Oravax is suitable for use as an initial vaccine or a booster.
A Filipino Priest is Also Developing a Yeast-Based Oral COVID Vaccine
Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, who’s also an expert in Biology, said that he wanted a vaccine that could reach everyone in the country. And for that to happen, the vaccine has to be shelf-stable. This means that it doesn’t need expensive and complicated freezers.
Currently, Fr. Nick is developing a yeast-based vaccine that has a shelf-life of about 2 years even without refrigeration. The priest’s idea is to take drugstore-bought probiotics and genetically engineer them in such a way that they produce SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.
Fr. Nick also mentioned that it might take 6 months to 1 year before they can release it to the public. But when we have it, it’ll be worth it, especially if we need to get vaccinated yearly or every other year.
“To save the Philippine government [from spending] billions of pesos to be paid every year to foreign companies, we’re trying to develop a vaccine for the Philippines that is relatively cheap but safe and efficacious.”
What We Can Do For Now
The prospect of having oral vaccines is promising, but they might take some time. For this reason, the best course of action is to still get vaccinated when the life-saving jab is offered to you.
Remember: the best vaccine is the one in your arm. All approved vaccines are effective in preventing severe infections that might lead to hospitalization.
If you still can’t have the vaccine, don’t forget to follow health protocols. Perform frequent handwashing, practice physical distancing, and wear your mask.
Additionally, don’t forget to strengthen your immune system. Eat a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly, and get adequate rest and sleep.
Learn more about Coronavirus here.
