New nasal vaccine ’could provide more protection against Covid’

Researchers believe new vaccine could overcome limitations of current Covid vaccine, Mustafa Qadri writes

This new nasal vaccine can simply be taken by inhaling it through the nose (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A new nasal vaccine has been developed that scientists say could provide more protection against Covid and stronger lung immunity.

The new vaccine has been tested successfully on mice and has the potential to be a powerful tool for immunity against Covid and minimising the ongoing viral spread, researchers from the Centenary Institute and Sydney University said.

The vaccine is made up of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and an adjuvant called Pam2Cys - a molecule that helps generate a stronger immune response in the body. It can be taken in simply by breathing through the nose.

Scientists said it prompted substantial levels of neutralising antibodies and increased T-cell responses - part of the immune system that focuses on specific foreign particles - in the lungs and airways of the mice.

One of the lead author’s of the study, Dr Anneliese Ashhurst from Sydney University said that there are limitations on the current Covid vaccine, including the waning of immunity after the vaccination, combined with the impact of new viral variants evolving.

Dr Ashhurst said: “Vaccinated individuals are still catching COVID-19 and can spread the infection, so breakthrough infections are still occurring.

“To stop viral spread and to prevent this virus from mutating we need a new vaccine approach that blocks Covid-19 transmission.”

During the study, the new vaccine was delivered nasally, making its way through the respiratory tract, and adhering to the tissues of the nasal cavity, airways and lungs.

The test results showed the generation of high levels of protective antibodies in the airways and increased T-cell responses in the lungs. None of the vaccinated mice were infected with Covid.

“Our vaccine differs from most current Covid vaccines in that it enables generation of an immune response directly in those areas of the body that are likely to be the first point of contact for the virus – the nose, airway and lungs. This may help explain the vaccine’s effectiveness,” said Dr Ashhurst.

Another senior author of the study, Professor Emeritus Warwick Britton, said that the new vaccine strategy could play a key role in the fight against many other diseases.

“Our vaccination findings have shown exciting potential in pre-clinical studies, improving protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection,” Professor Britton said.

“The approach developed here could help break the COVID-19 infection cycle and will likely influence future coronavirus vaccine related studies.”

The research team believe that adapted versions of the new nasal vaccine could also be applied to other viral or bacterial respiratory diseases such as influenza, avian flu, SARS and MERS.

The study was published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications.