US Study: Nasal COVID Vaccine Shows Promise in Phase 1 Trial

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Image copyright: University of Georgia [via NBC News]

The Facts

  • Preliminary results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of a nasal vaccine developed by US-based startup Blue Lake Biotechnology have shown to reduce the risk of symptomatic COVID by 86% over three months when used as a booster dose.

  • The ongoing trial — which began in August 2021 — comprises 72 participants between the ages of 18-55 who have already received at least two doses of mRNA vaccines, and healthy unvaccinated individuals. Data collection is due to be completed by December.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Every development of a new, better vaccine is a step in the right direction. Three years into the pandemic, COVID is here to stay, which is why broader solutions like Blue Lake's are the way forward — chasing perpetual variants with targeted vaccines is no longer a viable option.

Washington Post

Narrative B

Broader solutions are certainly the goal, but nasal vaccines likely won't meet this. Immunity that comes from infection similarly enters the body through the respiratory tract but only offers a brief period of protection from infection, so nasal sprays would probably have the same impact. The antibodies created by nasal vaccines typically wane quicker than others.

Forbes

Metaculus Prediction