A new hay fever vaccine could be in the UK within three years

Scientists from the Medical University of Vienna have been trialling a brand new hay fever vaccine, which could see sufferers symptoms reduce by as much as 60%.

The trial, where the drug has been tested on 180 people, has seen noticeable improvements in the symptoms of those taking part.

Results found that sufferers symptoms - including a runny nose, coughing and breathing problems - decreased by at least 25%.

And researchers state that in unpublished studies, symptoms in some patients were even reduced by up to 60%.

The vaccine is generally for grass pollen. But it's reported that scientists undergoing the trial are confident that they could come up with vaccines for other allergies - including dust-mite and cat allergies.

Researchers in the trial predicted that the vaccine could be available as early as 2021 - just three years away.

Scientists also claim that the trial has proven so promising that annual innoculations could even leave sufferers symptom-free. They stated that they would have to undergo a longer period of treatment for this to happen though.

They also suggested that a cure for the condition could be on the horizon. Researchers revealed that a preventative vaccine is in the works, to stop people from ever getting hay fever.

Dr Rudolf Valenta, who led the development of the vaccine, said, “In the last study, still unpublished, we reach up to 60 per cent for certain patients after one year treatment.

“It is likely that we can make them symptom-free after longer treatment. The planned schedule is five preseasonal injections before the pollen season of the first year and one daily refreshment every year.”

MORE: How to keep hay fever under control

He continued, admitting that the vaccination could become a cure. He said, “I dare to say that. More important, our next step will be preventive vaccination.”

It's thought that around 18 million people in the UK alone suffer from hay fever. Many experience their most severe symptoms between March and September.

Symptoms can include sneezing, coughing, red, watery eyes, a headache, an itchy throat, and a feeling of tiredness.

Currently of course there is no cure for hay fever, but anti-histamine drops, tablets, and nasal sprays can help. Plus, preventative measures including showering after coming in from outside, and buying a pollen filter, can also help to reduce the severity of symptoms.