Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday paid a visit to a University of Houston research laboratory that's working on a vaccine against fentanyl.
"This incredible, groundbreaking new therapy has the potential to revolutionize how we combat fentanyl deaths in our communities and end the afflictions of addiction that burden so many innocent Texans and Americans across the country," Gov. Abbott said.
The Governor got a briefing from lab technicians and met with top University of Houston officials.
"There is a major problem with opiods in this country, overdose and opiod use disorder. Present treatments are not adequate, so we need a different strategy," said UH Associate Professor Dr. Colin Haile. "You get our vaccine, you develop antibodies against fentanyl. These antibodies bind to fentanyl if it is consumed and prevent it from getting into the brain."
Researchers say the vaccine could be useful for law enforcement personnel who could accidentally come into contact with the drug or former users who are at risk of relapsing.
The Governor also discussed the dangers of fentanyl during a news conference after his briefing.
"Fentanyl is killing Texans. Over the past year, about 1,400 Texans lost their lives because of fentanyl," he said. "It's been reported in Harris County that at least one person loses their life a day because of fentanyl."
The vaccine being developed by the University of Houston could be ready for the public in three to four years.
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