Independent: Nasal Spray Vaccine Could Replace Several Shots

Scientists at Stanford Medicine have announced the development of an experimental vaccine that could potentially protect against multiple respiratory threats at once — including influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the common cold, bacterial pneumonia, and even allergens, The Independent reports.

The vaccine, designated GLA-3M-052-LS+OVA, is administered as a nasal spray. In experiments on mice, a single intranasal dose provided lung protection for several months.

Unlike traditional vaccines, which “show” the immune system a fragment of a specific virus, the new approach mimics the signaling processes immune cells use to communicate during infection. This activates T cells in the lungs and keeps the innate immune response in a heightened state of readiness.

“I think we have a universal vaccine against a wide range of respiratory threats,” said study leader Bali Pulendran, director of the Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection at Stanford Medicine. According to him, in the future two doses of the nasal spray administered in autumn could be enough to protect against most winter infections.

Researchers believe that, with sufficient funding, clinical trials in humans could begin within the next few years, while practical use may still be five to seven years away.

However, independent experts urge caution. Professor of virology Ian Jones from the University of Reading noted that a true “one-shot-for-life” vaccine remains far off. He emphasized that a universal strategy must account for the enormous biological diversity of the human population, and safety issues remain crucial.

Professor Jonathan Ball of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine also warned that keeping the immune system permanently on “high alert” could produce side effects. There is a potential risk of excessive immune activation, which could theoretically lead to unwanted inflammatory reactions.

Nevertheless, some specialists describe the results as promising. Daniela Ferreira, professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford, called the research “exciting.” She noted that most people already possess immune memory cells in the nasal and lung mucosa, and the new strategy could use this foundation to provide broad protection even against unrelated pathogens.

If the approach proves effective and safe in humans, it could transform strategies for preventing seasonal infections by reducing the need for annual vaccinations against different viruses. For now, however, the research remains at the preclinical stage, and a truly universal vaccine will require many more years of study.

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