A new player has entered the COVID-19 vaccine game: CoVac-1, a multi-peptide vaccine designed to offer long-lasting immunity, has passed its first human trial.

Proving itself to be safe and effective, the vaccine produced an immune response lasting at least three months and surpassing that of natural immunity or alternative vaccines.

The single-shot vaccine, based on SARS-CoV-2 proteins, induced immune cells, known as T cells, in 100 percent of participants 28 days after vaccination.

T cell immunity is the primary goal of vaccine development, as T cells are the key to long-lasting protection. .

“CoVac-1 may well serve as a (complimentary) vaccine to induce T-cell immunity, particularly in elderly and immunocompromised individuals with impaired ability to mount sufficient immune responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with currently approved vaccines,” the study authors write.

But, with any luck, a new COVID-19 vaccine offering long-lasting immunity could be on the horizon