Sun. Feb 9th, 2025

Israeli scientists develop COVID-19 vaccine that is delivered by nasal spray

A nurse administers a dose of FluMist® live attenuated intranasal vaccine (LAIV) into the nostril. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Douglas Jordan, MA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.A nurse administers a dose of FluMist® live attenuated intranasal vaccine (LAIV) into the nostril. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Douglas Jordan, MA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University and the University of Lisbon led by Ronit Satchi-Fainaro and Helena Florindo have developed an innovative COVID-19 vaccine that is administered via nasal spray. 

Furthermore, the vaccine stands out for its stability, and because it can be stored at room temperature, eliminating the need for refrigeration or specialized handling, and for its easy administration, since it does not require trained medical personnel, reducing the risk of contamination and medical waste.

For all these reasons, it could transform the fight against the virus by facilitating vaccination in remote and low-income regions.

Satchi-Fainaro explained that the vaccine, based on nanoparticles, was developed from the identification of “two simple amino acid sequences in the virus protein and we encapsulated them in a nano-vaccine that is administered without needles.”

Satchi-Fanaro also highlighted the simplicity of its production: “You just mix the powder with saline solution to create the spray.”

The trials showed that the nano-vaccine is effective against the main COVID-19 variants, including Beta, Delta and Omicron.

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