According to scientists, the new COVID-19 mucosal vaccine could revolutionise the way vaccine delivery is done.

Offering a solution for those afraid of needles, researchers at Griffith University published their findings in Nature Communications exploring the effectiveness of a Covid-19 vaccine delivered through the nose.

Professor Suresh Mahalingam, from the Griffiths Institute for Glycomics, has led the research for four years.

“This intranasal vaccine called CDO-7N-1 is a live attenuated vaccine designed to be administered via the nose that can activate both mucosal and systemic immunity with just a single dose,” Professor Mahalingam said.

This vaccine produces strong immune memory in the nasal mucosa, providing protection for a year or more.

It is intended to be a single-dose booster, an alternative to needles, and with no short-term or long-term side effects.

Live-attenuated vaccines are known for their ability to produce strong, long-term immunity, often requiring just a single dose.

Unlike other vaccines, which use a single antigen, live-attenuated vaccines contain the entire virus, and provide broader immunity.

Dr. Xiang Liu, lead author of the study, said the vaccine provides protection against all variants of concern and can neutralize SARS-CoV-1.

“This vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection, reinfection and the emergence of new variants,” Dr. Liu said.

Unlike mRNA vaccines (such as Pfizer and Moderna), which only target the spike protein, CDO-7N-1 generates immunity to all major SARS-CoV-2 proteins and is effective against all major variants to date.

Furthermore, the vaccine remains stable for up to seven months at 4°C, making it particularly suitable for low- and middle-income countries.

This vaccine has been licensed to leading vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Limited.

Dr. K. Anand Kumar, co-author and Managing Director, Indian Immunologicals Ltd, said, “This achievement is a major step forward in our fight against COVID-19. We are excited about the codon de-optimization technology and its use in targeted attenuation of microorganisms to be used as vaccines.”

He added, “Our pioneering intranasal vaccine is set to revolutionise the fight against infectious diseases, and by offering the convenience of non-invasive vaccination, we aim to increase vaccination rates, and ultimately protect more individuals and communities.”

How does the vaccine work?

Codon de-optimization weakens the virus by using less common genetic codes while keeping the protein the same. This method is much more efficient, safer and faster than conventional virus weakening, and can be adjusted to different levels of potency.

This vaccine is now moving towards clinical trials.

“Our researchers are committed to creating innovative and, most importantly, more accessible solutions to tackle this impactful disease,” said Professor Lee Smith, Acting Director of the Glycomics Institute.