A single dose of recombinant VSV-ΔG-spike vaccine provides protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 imposes an urgent need for rapid development of an efficient and cost-effective vaccine, suitable for mass immunization. Here, we show the development of a replication competent recombinant VSV-ΔG-spike vaccine, in which the glycoprotein of VSV is replaced by the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. In-vitro characterization of this vaccine indicates the expression and presentation of the spike protein on the viral membrane with antigenic similarity to SARS-CoV-2. A golden Syrian hamster in vivo model for COVID-19 is implemented. We show that a single-dose vaccination results in a rapid and potent induction of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, vaccination protects hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, as demonstrated by the abrogation of body weight loss, and alleviation of the extensive tissue damage and viral loads in lungs and nasal turbinates. Taken together, we suggest the recombinant VSV-ΔG-spike as a safe, efficacious and protective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

Yfat Yahalom-Ronen, Hadas Tamir, Sharon Melamed, Boaz Politi, Ohad Shifman, Hagit Achdout, Einat B. Vitner, Ofir Israeli, Elad Milrot, Dana Stein, Inbar Cohen-Gihon, Shlomi Lazar, Hila Gutman, Itai Glinert, Lilach Cherry, Yaron Vagima, Shirley Lazar, Shay Weiss, Amir Ben-Shmuel, Roy Avraham, Reut Puni, Edith Lupu, Elad Bar-David, Assa Sittner, Noam Erez, Ran Zichel, Emanuelle Mamroud, Ohad Mazor, Haim Levy, Orly Laskar, Shmuel Yitzhaki, Shmuel C. Shapira, Anat Zvi, Adi Beth-Din, Nir Paran, Tomer Israely