Cancer and heart disease, two leading causes of death, may soon have vaccines by 2030. Once available, it could save millions of people from these two fatal illnesses.
The giant medical firm Moderna, which brought us COVID-19 vaccines, says that vaccines against cancer and cardiovascular diseases will likely be "ready" by the end of the decade.
Cancer, Heart Disease Vaccines 'Ready' by 2023
As per The Straits Times, Moderna is now developing new vaccines, specifically against destructive illnesses, such as cancer and heart diseases, which continue to take millions of lives.
The chief medical officer of Moderna, Paul Burton, claims that by the end of the decade, a new vaccine, which covers diseases like cancer and heart disease, will be "ready." So in the next several years, the giant firm might start offering vaccines for two of the leading causes of death.
Straits Times notes in its report that roughly 17.9 million people from various parts of the world died from cardiovascular or heart diseases, 2019 data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows. On the other hand, WHO disclosed that around 10 million people died of cancer last 2020. In other words, cancer and heart disease are the two leading causes of death globally based on the data of WHO.
Moderna Says Cancer Vaccines for Various Tumors in the Works
The Moderna chief medical officer touts that the vaccine they are currently developing "will be highly effective," according to a report by The Guardian. And because of this, Dr. Burton believes that the groundbreaking vaccine, once available, will help save millions of lives. He notes that "it will save many hundreds of thousands if not millions" of people across the globe.
He further reveals that they are looking to offer personalized cancer vaccines, which should primarily target various tumors.
Regardless of the tumor type, the cancer vaccine, which is still in the works, seeks protection. According to Daily Mail, Dr. Burton says that they are aiming to provide "personalized cancer vaccines."
A Single Vaccine for Multiple Respiratory Infections?
Apart from the vaccines for heart diseases and cancer, Moderna is also busy working on another groundbreaking vaccine. The chief medical officer reveals that the giant firm that brought us COVID-19 vaccines plans to release a single injection vaccine covering some respiratory infections.
It should deliver protection not only for coronavirus infections but also for flu and the virus that brings cold-like symptoms, aptly named respiratory syncytial virus.
So, a single shot of this vaccine should protect people from various respiratory viruses, which include the highly contagious COVID-19 and flu. Given that, instead of getting a jab for the flu separately. A single injection might cover protection against multiple viruses.
