A clinical study to trial the inhalation of Covid -19 vaccines
With research suggesting that vaccines via a nasal spray or inhalation can protect people against the disease and help to reduce the transmission of this disease, a new clinical trial, funded by UKRI and NIHR, has been launched. The trial aims to explore the effect of the virus by administering the vaccine as inhaled airborne droplets rather than injection to the muscle. The aim is to induce a more effective immune response, potentially leading to the acceleration of an effective vaccine.
Lead researcher Dr Chris Chiu, from the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London explained;
“The current pandemic is caused by a respiratory virus that primarily infects people through the cells lining the nose, throat and lungs.
“These surfaces are specialised and produce a different immune response to the rest of the body, so it is critical we explore whether targeting the airways directly can provide an effective response compared to a vaccine injected into muscle.”
With the clinical trials already going ahead and many countries working on their own form of vaccine- this trial may give some guidance on whether we have the right vaccine but wrong delivery method.
To read more about this click here.