New Aussie vaccine protects against several COVID variants: researchers

Australian scientists say they have created a COVID-19 vaccine that can protect against several variants of the virus.

Researchers from the Centenary Institute and the University of Sydney created the CoVEXS5 vaccine, which protects against five variants of the virus, including the "highly immune-evasive" Omicron XBB.1.5 variant and SARS-CoV-1, a relative of SARS-CoV-2.

Studies showed reduced virus levels in the lungs of vaccinated mice by 99.9 per cent, compared to unvaccinated controls.

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It also triggered high levels of virus-blocking antibodies and activated special immune T-cells in the lungs, which are critical for the body to fight the virus.

"By combining parts of multiple coronaviruses, we've created a vaccine that can better prepare the body to fight off both current and future threats," Dr Claudio Counoupas, a researcher at the Centenary Institute's Centre for Infection and Immunity, said.

The CoVEXS5 vaccine features a unique version of the spike protein, fusing protein elements from several different COVID-19 variants into one single structure.

Researchers say this fusion helps the immune system recognise and respond to a broader range of virus types.

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"The immune response we saw in the laboratory was both strong and broad," co-lead study author Elizabeth Chan said.

"It's exciting to think that this approach could help future-proof vaccines against ongoing changes in the virus."

The research team is now focusing on advancing the vaccine through further testing and development.