Will we soon no longer need a syringe for the corona vaccine? Swiss researchers are currently working on an alternative option. So the vaccine could soon be sprayed into the nose. Initial tests on animals give hope: the scientists generated a weakened coronavirus and injected it into the nose of the animals – after a vaccine dose, they were protected from illness.
As «SRF» reports, the vaccine is said to stimulate the immune cells on the mucous membrane. Because as soon as the viruses have penetrated through the nose, they multiply quickly on the mucous membranes. The current vaccinations cannot prevent that – a nasal spray vaccine should make it possible.
As soon as the active ingredient is sprayed into the nose, the immune cells form special antibodies on the mucous membrane. These intercept invading viruses. “That could already prevent the infection and not the serious course of the disease. And it could reduce the risk of transmission, ”says immunologist Christoph Berger to“ SRF ”.
“Significantly less contagious”
A Swiss-German research team is working on the new method. According to team leader Volker Thiel from the University of Basel, it is difficult to completely prevent transmission even with the nasal spray vaccination. He told «SRF»: «You will always be able to get infected because the mucous membrane is exposed.» Even with nasal spray vaccinations, the immune system needs a certain amount of time to start up.
Even so, people who are vaccinated by nasal spray are less contagious. “Vaccines with weakened viruses probably have a much broader effect than mRNA vaccinations and will be better suited for future virus variants,” said Thiel.
Nasal spray as a booster shot
Berger also sees the potential of the nasal spray vaccination. It could be used as a booster shot after a double mRNA vaccination. But first of all, the new approach must also work in humans, the immunologist told SRF.
The big difficulty with the nasal spray vaccination? The researchers have to produce a weakened virus that triggers a strong immune response after vaccination without making you sick.
When the potential vaccine is ready, Volker Thiel cannot say. But he hopes that the clinical trials in humans can begin in a year. (zis / gin)
Vaccination interest increases: Rush to vaccination truck in Biel(00:20)