NOSEVAC featured in Vaccines Today

Vaccines Today has published a feature on the NOSEVAC project and its ground breaking work on nasal vaccines, which could transform the way we prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. Unlike traditional injections, nasal vaccines stimulate the immune system directly in the nose and throat, the primary entry points for many viruses, potentially stopping infections before they take hold.

24 October 2025

“Vaccines don’t usually stop transmission, and that’s a big problem,” says Dr. Ali Harandi, scientific lead for NOSEVAC at the European Vaccine Initiative (EVI). “They prevent disease, but do not prevent infection and transmission. The overarching objective of NOSEVAC is to discover ways to elicit protective immunity at the point of entry.”

Nasal vaccine vs intramuscular vaccine induced immune responses. Adapted from Callaway, Nature news (2023)

The EU-funded NOSEVAC project, coordinated by EVI, is exploring how nasal vaccines could reduce transmission of diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, whooping cough, and pneumonia. With €11.6 million in EU funding and a project timeline extending to 2028, NOSEVAC is developing effective nasal delivery systems, studying mucosal immune responses, and assessing public and professional acceptance of needle-free vaccination.

Researchers believe that nasal vaccines could strengthen community protection by reducing both infection and transmission, while offering a simpler and more comfortable vaccination experience. Although technical challenges remain, including the safe delivery of vaccine materials through the nasal airway and achieving durable immunity, the potential benefits are significant.

If successful, nasal vaccines could complement or even replace certain injectable vaccines, providing a faster, more accessible, and potentially more effective strategy for controlling respiratory infections.

Read the full article on Vaccines Today

Learn more about NOSEVAC