Israel has created a vaccine with a genetically modified virus that grows spike proteins on its surface; it is expected to be better than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and could even be used as a booster, writes Dr. Marianna Budai PhD., a specialist pharmacist, on Egészségkalauz.hu.
Israel is developing its own vaccine against Covid-19, and research and development has been ongoing for a year and a half. Phase 2b/3 trials of the Israeli vaccine, BriLife, are currently underway, with Hungary being the first country in Europe to test the vaccine.
Vaccine recipients receive via intramuscular injection the vesicular stomatitis virus wrapped in the coronavirus spike proteins. The coronavirus spike proteins then further stimulate the immune system to trigger an immune response.
The introduction of genetically modified viruses into the body is relatively new. In 2019, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved a vaccine called Ervebo based on a weakened and modified vesicular stomatitis virus.
According to the EMA, the virus has little or no effect on the human body.
The first phase of clinical trials of the Israeli BriLife coronavirus vaccine was completed on November 16 last year and involved around 240 people.
Based on the results of this study, antibody levels are high and not below those seen in mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer or Moderna.
NRx Pharmaceuticals, the publicly listed manufacturer of the BriLife vaccine, announced on December 9, 2021, that it will collaborate with Hungary on testing, meaning Hungarian volunteers will soon be able to receive the experimental Israeli vaccine.
