Nasal vaccine

Administering a vaccine via the nose is painless, non-invasive and easier to perform than using a needle, which has risks of needle stick injuries and issues relating to safe disposal.[2]

A few different devices have become available for the nasal delivery of vaccines.[3][4]

FluMist Quadrivalent

Fluenz Tetra

Nasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is available under the brand name FluMist Quadrivalent in the United States and the brand name Fluenz Tetra in Europe.[5][6] In addition to the antigens (active ingredient), nasal flu vaccine contains gelatin,[7] small amounts of amino acids and sucrose, which act as stabilizers.[5][8]

In veterinary medicine, vaccination against Bordetella bronchiseptica, a cause of kennel cough, can be delivered by the nasal route in dogs.[9]

Kangxi Emperor, in the 17th century, claimed that to protect his entire family and army from smallpox he had them all inoculated, a procedure described in manuals of the time as involving the technique of "blowing smallpox material up the nose" or insufflation. The material used varied from ground-up dry scabs to fluid collected from a pustule.[10]

Following the September 11 attacks of 2001, and the subsequent anthrax attacks, there has been an active search for vaccines that could be stored and stockpiled, including developments in a nasal vaccine for anthrax.[3]

In an experiment in 2004, a nasal vaccine was given to four African green monkeys in the search for a vaccine for SARS-CoV.[11][12]

In August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, studies in mice and monkeys demonstrated that protection from the new coronavirus might be obtained through the nasal route. Another study postulated that if a COVID-19 vaccine could be given by a spray in the nose, people might be able to vaccinate themselves.[13]

• Nasal administration
• Mucosal immunology