Study Finds Experimental Nasal COVID-19 Vaccine To Be Effective In Mice

Various vaccines around the world are in different phases. One vaccine that targets coronavirus and can be delivered through the nose, has proven effective in preventing infection in mice susceptible to the virus, according to a new study published in the journal Cell.

The vaccine has been developed by researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Unlike many other vaccines this one can be delivered in one dose via the nose.

Representational Image/Reuters

¡°We were happily surprised to see a strong immune response in the cells of the inner lining of the nose and upper airway ¡ª and a profound protection from infection with this virus,¡± senior author Michael S Diamond, MD, PhD, the Herbert S Gasser, Professor of Medicine and a professor of molecular microbiology, and of pathology and immunology reportedly said.

¡°These mice were well protected from disease. And in some of the mice, we saw evidence of sterilising immunity, where there is no sign of infection whatsoever after the mouse is challenged with the virus,¡± he further said.

According to this new study carried out on mice, researchers found that the vaccine was more effective in preventing the infection from taking over the body ¡®as it was particularly effective in generating an immune response in the nose and respiratory tract¡¯.

Also Read: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine May Get Approved By October

Representational Image/Mycroyance

The vaccine has reportedly been developed by ¡®inserting a spike protein used by coronaviruses, inside another virus ¨C called an adenovirus ¨C that causes the common cold¡¯.

¡°Adenoviruses are the basis for many investigational vaccines for Covid-19 and other infectious diseases, such as Ebola virus and tuberculosis, and they have good safety and efficacy records, but not much research has been done with nasal delivery of these vaccines,¡± co-senior author David T Curiel, MD, PhD, the Distinguished Professor of Radiation Oncology said.

¡°All of the other adenovirus vaccines in development for Covid-19 are delivered by injection into the arm or thigh muscle. The nose is a novel route, so our results are surprising and promising. It¡¯s also important that a single dose produced such a robust immune response. Vaccines that require two doses for full protection are less effective because some people, for various reasons, never receive the second dose,¡± he said.

This vaccine has only been studied in mice so far.

According to a release by the university, ¡®The investigators next plan to test the vaccine in non-human primates and humans to see if it is safe and effective in preventing Covid-19 infection.¡¯

Disclaimer: While there have been several different types of treatments being given to COVID-19 patients across the world, there isn¡¯t any one drug that has worked as a sure-shot treatment yet. Don¡¯t self medicate/stock up and always consult your doctor/medical health professional.