A new vaccine has been developed that prevents the formation of an allergy-causing protein in cats. The vaccine has shown no side effects in animal testing and is set to hit the market in 2022. According to a study by the Central Association of Zoological Specialist Retailers in Germany, cats remain the most popular pets in the country, with approximately 14.8 million cats living in 23% of German households. However, 10% of the population suffers from an allergy that makes it impossible to keep a cat as a pet. The allergy is caused by proteins that cats distribute through their hair during grooming, which can trigger symptoms such as irritated skin, severe sneezing, and watery red eyes in allergic individuals. In some cases, the allergy can even lead to asthma.
In 2013, scientists at the University of Zurich announced that they had developed a vaccine called HypoCatTM that would allow cat allergy sufferers to keep a cat as a pet. After six more years of research, the vaccine has been deemed safe and effective in a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. The vaccine works by triggering a reaction in cats that produces antibodies that neutralize the allergy-causing protein Fel d 1. In some cases, the vaccine completely suppressed the allergen, preventing allergic reactions altogether, while in others, it significantly reduced the protein’s production. Animal testing on 54 cats that received the vaccine three times each showed positive results, with all vaccinated cats producing antibodies and a significant reduction in protein production in their tears. The cats also showed no side effects, indicating that the vaccine is safe.
Further testing will confirm the vaccine’s effectiveness and safety, but if all goes well, the vaccine could hit the market as early as 2022. This breakthrough could be life-changing for cat lovers who suffer from allergies, allowing them to finally keep a feline companion without experiencing allergic reactions.
