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A universal vaccine for humans against cold, flu, COVID and allergies has moved a significant step closer following a study using mice, scientists say.
The vaccine, which could be given as a nasal spray, has been developed by experts at Stanford Medicine in the US.
It may protect against a wide range of respiratory viruses, bacteria and allergy triggers, they claimed.
Scientists said the vaccine offered broad protection in the lungs of mice for several months.
Vaccinated animals were protected against COVID and other coronaviruses, Staph (which can infect the skin and cause sepsis), Acinetobacter baumannii (which can cause infections in the blood, urinary tract, lungs or wounds), and house dust mites.
This form of vaccine, if translated into humans, could replace multiple jabs every year for winter respiratory infections.
It also has the potential to work against new pandemic bugs.
Lead author Dr Bali Pulendran, from Stanford Medicine, said: “I think what we have is a universal vaccine against diverse respiratory threats.
“Imagine getting a nasal spray in the fall months that protects you from all respiratory viruses including COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and the common cold, as well as bacterial pneumonia and early spring allergens.
“That would transform medical practice.”
The researchers are now hoping to trial the vaccine on humans.
A safety trial would be followed by a larger trial in which patients are exposed to infections.
Dr Pulendran thinks two doses of the nasal spray would be sufficient to provide protection in people.
He estimates the vaccine might be available in five to seven years, if there is enough funding.
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