New Nasal Covid-19 Vaccine Shows Promising Results in Hamster Studies
Scientists at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany have made significant progress in developing a nasal vaccine against Covid-19. In experiments using hamsters, two doses of the weakened virus were found to block the replication of the virus in the upper airways, achieving "sterilizing immunity" and preventing illness.
The vaccine works by mimicking the natural infection process, with the weakened virus closely matching the original strain of the coronavirus. This approach is being touted as a promising method for inducing mucosal immunity, which is crucial for preventing respiratory infections like Covid-19.
In the hamster studies, the nasal vaccine performed better than two other vaccines in terms of immune response and ability to neutralize the virus. The researchers believe that this is because the live weakened vaccine closely mimics the natural infection process, allowing the body's immune system to mount a stronger response.
The German team is now eager to see the results of similar studies being conducted by another company, Codagenix, which is developing a nasal vaccine using a live but weakened virus. The company has completed phase II trials in South America and Africa, and the results are expected to be published later this year.
While the results from these studies are promising, experts caution that more testing needs to be done before any new Covid-19 vaccine can be widely released. The World Health Organization's vaccine tracker shows at least four nasal vaccines for Covid-19 in late-stage testing in people, and it is unclear how effective they will be.
The development of a Covid-19 vaccine has been slow, with progress being described as "slow and halting." However, researchers believe that this is because the challenges are significant, and the process of developing a new vaccine requires a great deal of time and resources.
In order to develop an effective vaccine against respiratory infections like Covid-19, it is necessary to induce mucosal immunity. This means boosting immune defenses in the tissues that line the upper airways, where the virus first enters the body.
Live attenuated viruses have been shown to be effective in inducing this type of immunity, but they can also pose risks for people with compromised immunity. As a result, researchers are working on developing new vaccines that use weakened or inactivated forms of the virus.
The success of these nasal vaccines will depend on their ability to induce strong mucosal immunity and prevent respiratory infections like Covid-19. While the results from the German team's studies are promising, more testing needs to be done before any new vaccine can be widely released.
Scientists at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany have made significant progress in developing a nasal vaccine against Covid-19. In experiments using hamsters, two doses of the weakened virus were found to block the replication of the virus in the upper airways, achieving "sterilizing immunity" and preventing illness.
The vaccine works by mimicking the natural infection process, with the weakened virus closely matching the original strain of the coronavirus. This approach is being touted as a promising method for inducing mucosal immunity, which is crucial for preventing respiratory infections like Covid-19.
In the hamster studies, the nasal vaccine performed better than two other vaccines in terms of immune response and ability to neutralize the virus. The researchers believe that this is because the live weakened vaccine closely mimics the natural infection process, allowing the body's immune system to mount a stronger response.
The German team is now eager to see the results of similar studies being conducted by another company, Codagenix, which is developing a nasal vaccine using a live but weakened virus. The company has completed phase II trials in South America and Africa, and the results are expected to be published later this year.
While the results from these studies are promising, experts caution that more testing needs to be done before any new Covid-19 vaccine can be widely released. The World Health Organization's vaccine tracker shows at least four nasal vaccines for Covid-19 in late-stage testing in people, and it is unclear how effective they will be.
The development of a Covid-19 vaccine has been slow, with progress being described as "slow and halting." However, researchers believe that this is because the challenges are significant, and the process of developing a new vaccine requires a great deal of time and resources.
In order to develop an effective vaccine against respiratory infections like Covid-19, it is necessary to induce mucosal immunity. This means boosting immune defenses in the tissues that line the upper airways, where the virus first enters the body.
Live attenuated viruses have been shown to be effective in inducing this type of immunity, but they can also pose risks for people with compromised immunity. As a result, researchers are working on developing new vaccines that use weakened or inactivated forms of the virus.
The success of these nasal vaccines will depend on their ability to induce strong mucosal immunity and prevent respiratory infections like Covid-19. While the results from the German team's studies are promising, more testing needs to be done before any new vaccine can be widely released.