Scientists in Germany say they've made a nasal vaccine that can shut down a Covid-19 infection before the virus even reaches the body. The vaccine uses a live but weakened form of the coronavirus, which is then given to the body so it can learn to recognize and fight off the virus.
In experiments with hamsters, two doses of the vaccine were able to block the virus from copying itself in the animals' upper airways, achieving "sterilizing immunity" and preventing illness. This approach aims to boost mucosal immunity, which is the immune defense in the tissues that line the upper airways, right where the virus would land and begin to infect our cells.
The idea behind this approach is to create a vaccine that can prevent the virus from getting a foothold in the body before it's too late. The German team has used a technique called codon pair deoptimization to make the virus harder for cells to translate, which makes it easier for the immune system to recognize and attack.
The results of these experiments are promising, but more tests need to be done before the vaccine can be widely available. Researchers have already conducted animal studies, and now they're moving on to human trials. The development of this vaccine is seen as a potential game-changer in the fight against Covid-19, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
However, experts caution that there are still many hurdles to clear before the vaccine can be widely used. These include issues related to cost, accessibility, and the potential risks of using live but weakened viruses. The German team is now working with a Swiss company to start phase I clinical trials, which will help determine whether this approach is promising or not.
While there have been several nasal vaccines in development, many experts agree that more work needs to be done before we can say that Covid-19 is under control. The World Health Organization's vaccine tracker shows that at least four nasal vaccines for Covid-19 are now reaching late-stage testing in humans. However, the progress has been slow and halting, with many groups struggling to raise the costs of getting a new vaccine to market.
The development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine that induces mucosal immunity is seen as a key goal, particularly given the potential for new variants of the virus. The use of live attenuated viruses in vaccines has shown promise in other areas, such as measles and flu vaccination, but there are also concerns about the risks of using these types of vaccines, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems.
Ultimately, the development of an effective Covid-19 vaccine will require a combination of scientific innovation, careful consideration of potential risks, and a commitment to making these vaccines accessible to those who need them most.
In experiments with hamsters, two doses of the vaccine were able to block the virus from copying itself in the animals' upper airways, achieving "sterilizing immunity" and preventing illness. This approach aims to boost mucosal immunity, which is the immune defense in the tissues that line the upper airways, right where the virus would land and begin to infect our cells.
The idea behind this approach is to create a vaccine that can prevent the virus from getting a foothold in the body before it's too late. The German team has used a technique called codon pair deoptimization to make the virus harder for cells to translate, which makes it easier for the immune system to recognize and attack.
The results of these experiments are promising, but more tests need to be done before the vaccine can be widely available. Researchers have already conducted animal studies, and now they're moving on to human trials. The development of this vaccine is seen as a potential game-changer in the fight against Covid-19, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
However, experts caution that there are still many hurdles to clear before the vaccine can be widely used. These include issues related to cost, accessibility, and the potential risks of using live but weakened viruses. The German team is now working with a Swiss company to start phase I clinical trials, which will help determine whether this approach is promising or not.
While there have been several nasal vaccines in development, many experts agree that more work needs to be done before we can say that Covid-19 is under control. The World Health Organization's vaccine tracker shows that at least four nasal vaccines for Covid-19 are now reaching late-stage testing in humans. However, the progress has been slow and halting, with many groups struggling to raise the costs of getting a new vaccine to market.
The development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine that induces mucosal immunity is seen as a key goal, particularly given the potential for new variants of the virus. The use of live attenuated viruses in vaccines has shown promise in other areas, such as measles and flu vaccination, but there are also concerns about the risks of using these types of vaccines, particularly for individuals with compromised immune systems.
Ultimately, the development of an effective Covid-19 vaccine will require a combination of scientific innovation, careful consideration of potential risks, and a commitment to making these vaccines accessible to those who need them most.
like what even is that? they use a live but weakened form of the virus and then your immune system learns to fight it off which sounds super cool but also kinda weird 
. I'm lowkey hoping this means we'll be able to get rid of Covid for good, especially since my grandma has been dealing with it for ages 
. but at the same time I'm a bit worried about the cost and accessibility issues 
. I mean, we need something that's gonna work for everyone not just people who have $$ 
. fingers crossed they can get this thing to market soon 
. I mean, it's promising that it can block the virus from copying itself in hamsters, but what about the human trials? We gotta see how it stacks up against other vaccines and makes sure it's safe for everyone. And don't even get me started on the cost – I hope it doesn't become another expensive medication 
) and it feels like we're always just one step behind. The fact that there are already four nasal vaccines in late-stage testing is a good sign, but we need to move faster. I'm all for scientific innovation, but let's not forget about accessibility – not everyone has the same access to healthcare or can afford a new vaccine 
.
it's like having a special immune system superpower! 
but at the same time, i'm not sure if it's just a bunch of hype yet. all these experts are saying that there are still a lot of hurdles to clear before this thing can be widely available and affordable... 
. I mean, the idea that it can shut down a Covid infection before it even takes hold is kinda mind-blowing. Sterilizing immunity? That's like, the ultimate goal when it comes to vaccines! 
But at the same time, I'm also thinking about all the logistical challenges that come with this approach. Like, how are they gonna get the vaccine to people who need it most without breaking the bank? And what about those with compromised immune systems? It's a delicate balance between science and caution 
. Like, we've been talking about nasal vaccines for ages now, and it's only just now that scientists in Germany are showing some promising results. And even then, there are tons of hurdles to clear before they can be widely used. I mean, come on, who has the money to afford these things? It's like the whole thing is being held back by bureaucratic red tape 
.
. The fact that it uses a live but weakened form of the coronavirus to give our bodies a chance to learn how to recognize and fight off the virus is genius 
.
. We've seen how slow progress has been in developing an effective Covid vaccine, and there are definitely concerns about cost, accessibility, and safety 
. We've been through too much already with Covid, and it's time for some serious innovation in the fight against it 
! I'm low-key hyped about the idea of shutting down a Covid infection before it even reaches the body 
. It's like our bodies get a superpower alert that says " virus, you're not welcome here!" 
and I'm excited to see how this plays out in human trials 
.
. Like, we need to make sure it's safe for everyone, especially the elderly and immunocompromised folks 
. And let's be real, cost and accessibility are still major concerns 
.
and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one 
. With all the new variants popping up, it's more important than ever to have a strong defense 
!
using live but weakened virus to boost mucosal immunity is genius 
we need more innovation like this ASAP 
We've been seeing so many promising Covid-19 vaccine developments in recent years, but it's still the same old story - more research and testing needed before they can get it to market 
. More research and testing need to be done before we can say that Covid-19 is under control.
. I mean, four nasal vaccines are already in late-stage testing, which is cool and all, but we need to see some concrete results soon. Can't have the elderly and immunocompromised people waiting forever for a vaccine that could save their lives 
. And let's not forget about the cost and accessibility issues - this vaccine can't be just a rich person's game, it needs to be available to everyone who needs it 
.
. The idea of boosting mucosal immunity is super smart, and using live but weakened viruses to do it could be the key 
. I mean, we've seen it work for other vaccines like measles and flu, so why not? 
. And let's be real, we've been stuck in Covid-19 limbo for far too long 
...
. I'm so glad they're working on this, but at the same time, I'm also getting anxious thinking about all the hurdles they need to clear... like cost and accessibility issues