British scientists are trialling a world first vaccine for a little-known disease which is the one of the biggest causes of childhood disability and deafness in the UK. Experts working for Moderna have begun clinical trials to create a vaccine against Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that few mums are warned about.
But when caught by pregnant women, it can cause serious disabilities in their unborn babies - such as deafness, cerebral palsy, seizures, ADHD, and autism. And frighteningly, mums can become infected through kissing or simply eating and drinking utensils, toys and dummies.
It's estimated two to three babies are born with the disease every day in the UK. But it's is not as well known as other risks to unborn children like Down’s syndrome, spina bifida and cystic fibrosis and there is no screening for it.
