The first herbal corona vaccine was approved in Canada. However, there is still a catch.
Quebec – The newly approved corona vaccine Novavax has also been available in Germany for a few days. In contrast to the mRNA preparations previously used by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, for example, this is a protein vaccine. This is based on a different technology than the mRNA vaccines.
Some vaccination skeptics showed reservations about the common preparations, of which the Stiko now recommends the second booster to four groups*. The federal government is therefore now hoping to be able to use the new vaccine to further boost the willingness to vaccinate. In the meantime, however, Canada is relying on a completely different preparation: the world’s first herbal COVID-19 vaccine has now been approved there.
Corona virus: Canada approves world’s first herbal COVID-19 vaccine
According to The Scientist, Canada’s national health policy agency, Health Canada, approved the Covifenz vaccine for adults ages 18 to 64 in February 2022. It has not yet been approved for people over 65 because there is still too little data for this age group.
COVID-19 vaccine Covifenz made plant-based for the first time
Covifenz is the world’s first plant-based vaccine. It was manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Medicago, which is based in Quebec, Canada. According to the news portal “Associated Press”, the country should commission the company to deliver 76 million vaccine doses as quickly as possible. But what exactly is in the new vaccine?
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Covifenz: First corona vaccine made from plants
The plant Nicotiana benthamiana, which is found in Australia, was used to produce virus-like particles. This close relative of the tobacco plant was not intended to cause infection or disease, but only to mimic the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine was made from a combination of the particles extracted and cleaned from the plant and an immune-boosting adjuvant from the British pharaoh company GlaxoSmithKline.
Plant-based corona vaccine with a decisive advantage
In contrast to the mRNA preparations, the vaccine mainly has an advantage in terms of storage. While the mRNA active ingredients have to be stored extremely cold, storage of the plant-based substance in the refrigerator, which should be between two and eight degrees Celsius, is sufficient.
Herbal COVID-19 vaccine has a catch
Nevertheless, there is a catch: A study with 24,000 adults in six countries showed that the vaccine is more than 75 percent effective against the delta variant and 71 percent against all corona virus variants. An exception, however, is the omicron variant, which is also spreading rapidly in Germany and is more contagious. Since the variant was not widespread at the beginning of the study, evaluations and results are still missing. However, according to Medicago’s Marc-André D’Aoust, the company will be collecting data on the drug’s effectiveness against omicrons in the near future. Moderna will also adapt its vaccine to Omicron*.
Study participants showed side effects after vaccination with Covifenz
Some participants in the study showed side effects after the vaccination, similar to the other preparations. However, these were mild. Some of those affected suffered from fever and fatigue. The vaccine is probably most effective when the second dose is given 21 days after the first vaccination. Incidentally, more harmless signs and symptoms can also indicate a corona infection*. *Merkur.de and 24vita.de are offers from IPPEN.MEDIA
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
