MHRA approves self replicating mRNA Covid-19 vaccine

The ARCT self-amplifying mRNA vaccine construct consists of the replicase of Venezuela equine encephalitis virus in which mRNA coding for the viral structural proteins has been replaced with mRNA coding for the target antigen.

who wants that self replicating shit running around your body

safe and effective.

any long term studies in the pipeline? NO!

Note, this vaccine has been approved in Japan since late 2023.

> As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of zapomeran under close review.

So kind of them, but isn't the review supposed to be done before the vaccine is released on the general population? As written it seems the review is dependent on more data from experimental subjects.

I struggle to fathom the thought process that could lead one to assume that review was not done.

I am by no means dismissing this achievement. But can anyone explain to me the advantages of this over the current COVID vaccines? Is it more effective?

Lower dose (1/64 as much for same efficacy) and longer antigen expression (2+ weeks vs. 4 days).

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12031284/ explains the motivations and the challenges.