The Feasibility of Developing a Universal SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

Area of Science:

• Virology and Immunology
• Vaccine Development
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• SARS-CoV-2 evolution necessitates broader, more durable vaccine protection.
• Existing vaccines face challenges from emerging variants and subvariants.
• High-risk groups have benefited from current vaccines, but universal solutions are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current and emerging strategies for universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.
• To focus on antigen design, immune protection breadth, and clinical feasibility.
• To provide a framework for designing next-generation universal vaccines.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of diverse vaccine platforms (mRNA, DNA, VLPs, recombinant proteins).
• Analysis of antigen design strategies, including mosaic polyvalent spike constructs and multi-epitope vaccines targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD).
• Exploration of approaches using conserved viral proteins and T helper (Th) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes.

Main Results:

• Several vaccine platforms have achieved regulatory approval and clinical use.
• Ongoing variant emergence challenges the efficacy of current vaccines.
• Research is advancing universal vaccine strategies targeting conserved viral elements.

Conclusions:

• A universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is urgently needed to combat evolving variants.
• Strategies focusing on conserved regions like the S2 subunit and multi-epitope designs show promise.
• Rational design of next-generation vaccines can achieve broad and durable protection.