Scientists in Germany claim to have made a breakthrough in the development of a nasal vaccine that can effectively combat Covid-19 by targeting the upper respiratory tract. The experimental vaccine uses a live but weakened form of the virus and has shown promising results in hamster trials, achieving "sterilizing immunity" and preventing illness.
In the studies, two doses of the vaccine were found to block the virus from copying itself in the animals' upper airways, resulting in "sterilizing immunity". This is a long-sought goal for researchers working on Covid-19 vaccines. The nasal vaccine previews the entire coronavirus for the body, allowing the hamsters to create immune weapons against a wider range of targets.
While this development holds promise, vaccine experts caution that the vaccine still needs to pass more tests before it's ready for use. However, if successful, it could potentially provide an effective solution to Covid-19 by boosting mucosal immunity and preventing infection in the upper respiratory tract.
Several nasal vaccines are currently in various stages of clinical trials, with some already showing promising results. Other countries, such as China and India, have also approved nasal vaccines for use, but effectiveness data has yet to be published.
The development of a Covid-19 vaccine that targets mucosal immunity is crucial, as the virus continues to mutate and spread among people and animals. According to Dr. Greg Poland, a vaccine expert at the Mayo Clinic, "That's foolish. We should be developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine that does induce mucosal immunity and that is long-lived."
Several nasal vaccines are nearing completion of their trials, including one developed by Codagenix in Germany, which uses a live but weakened version of the virus. The results of these studies may come later this year.
While there have been challenges in developing effective inhaled vaccines for respiratory infections like Covid-19, some vaccines, such as those against flu and measles, have shown promising results using live attenuated viruses. However, it's essential to note that live vaccines can't be taken by everyone, particularly those with compromised immunity.
The potential development of a nasal vaccine targeting mucosal immunity has sparked hope among researchers and experts, who believe it could provide an effective solution to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In the studies, two doses of the vaccine were found to block the virus from copying itself in the animals' upper airways, resulting in "sterilizing immunity". This is a long-sought goal for researchers working on Covid-19 vaccines. The nasal vaccine previews the entire coronavirus for the body, allowing the hamsters to create immune weapons against a wider range of targets.
While this development holds promise, vaccine experts caution that the vaccine still needs to pass more tests before it's ready for use. However, if successful, it could potentially provide an effective solution to Covid-19 by boosting mucosal immunity and preventing infection in the upper respiratory tract.
Several nasal vaccines are currently in various stages of clinical trials, with some already showing promising results. Other countries, such as China and India, have also approved nasal vaccines for use, but effectiveness data has yet to be published.
The development of a Covid-19 vaccine that targets mucosal immunity is crucial, as the virus continues to mutate and spread among people and animals. According to Dr. Greg Poland, a vaccine expert at the Mayo Clinic, "That's foolish. We should be developing a pan-coronavirus vaccine that does induce mucosal immunity and that is long-lived."
Several nasal vaccines are nearing completion of their trials, including one developed by Codagenix in Germany, which uses a live but weakened version of the virus. The results of these studies may come later this year.
While there have been challenges in developing effective inhaled vaccines for respiratory infections like Covid-19, some vaccines, such as those against flu and measles, have shown promising results using live attenuated viruses. However, it's essential to note that live vaccines can't be taken by everyone, particularly those with compromised immunity.
The potential development of a nasal vaccine targeting mucosal immunity has sparked hope among researchers and experts, who believe it could provide an effective solution to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.