A nasal vaccine could offer protection against COVID-19, a study led by the Centenary Institute and the University of Sydney (USYD) has found.

The vaccine is made from the SARS-COV-2 spike protein combined with Pam2Cys, an immune-boosting compound developed at the USYD’s School of Chemistry, and works by stopping infection in the nose before the virus spreads to the rest of the body.

Unlike current injected vaccines, the nasal spray builds immune defences directly in the upper airways where the virus initially takes hold.

“Our study shows that a nasal vaccine can build strong immune defences right where the virus first enters the body, the nose, to help prevent infection,” said Professor Warwick Britton, senior co-author of the study, from the Centenary Institute’s Centre for Infection & Immunity.

“Used as a booster after a standard injection, it also gave protection to vital organs like the lungs and brain.

“These results highlight the advantages of targeting immunity in the upper airways,” Prof Britton added.

Senior study co-author, Dr Anneliese Ashhurst from USYD, said nasal vaccines could play an important role alongside existing COVID-19 vaccines.

While the researchers admit that more investigation is needed, the results show strong potential for nasal vaccines to complement existing COVID-19 vaccines.

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