Stanford Spray Vaccine Protects Against COVID and Flu
Stanford scientists have developed a nasal spray vaccine that protected mice against COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, and allergies by activating the lungs' innate immunity. The research, published in the journal Science, suggests it could replace annual seasonal vaccinations within five to seven years.
A Novel Approach: The Vaccine Speaks the Language of Immunity, Not the Virus
Scientists from Stanford University School of Medicine published findings on February 19, 2026, in the prestigious journal Science that could fundamentally change the approach to preventing respiratory diseases. The experimental nasal vaccine—currently designated GLA-3M-052-LS+OVA—does not work like traditional vaccines. Instead of mimicking a specific virus or bacterium, it simulates the signals that immune cells exchange during infection.
Specifically, it involves cytokines produced by T lymphocytes, which activate toll-like receptors on innate immune cells in the lungs. The result is a long-lasting state of immune readiness—not against one pathogen, but against a whole range of respiratory threats. This state persisted for at least three months in mouse experiments.
Test Results: 700-Fold Decrease in Virus, Protection Against Bacteria Too
The team, led by Professor Bali Pulendran and doctoral student Haiba Zhang, recorded remarkable results in mouse models. Vaccinated animals showed a 700-fold decrease in the amount of virus in the lungs compared to the unvaccinated control group. Protection extended to:
- SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses,
- Hospital bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii,
- Dust mite allergen.
While unvaccinated mice needed about two weeks to develop a specific immune response, vaccinated animals were able to mobilize targeted antibodies and T lymphocytes within three days. Such a rapid response would be extremely valuable in a pandemic with an unknown pathogen—the slow build-up of immunity was one of the key weaknesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Mice to Humans: Five to Seven Years and Sufficient Funding
Professor Pulendran estimates that the vaccine could be available for humans in five to seven years with sufficient funding—after successfully completing the first phase of clinical trials focused on safety. In addition to Stanford, teams from Emory University, the University of North Carolina, Utah State University, and the University of Arizona participated in the study.
Scientists envision a scenario in which people receive a nasal spray every fall that protects them from the flu, COVID-19, RSV, and the common cold—while also alleviating spring allergic reactions. For countries like Slovakia, where annual respiratory seasons burden hospitals with thousands of hospitalizations and influenza and pneumonia are among the most common causes of death in seniors, such prevention would bring not only health but also economic relief.
A New Era of Vaccination?
The research published in Science opens the way for a vaccine that could replace annually updated seasonal vaccinations and provide protection even in the event of a new pandemic—without having to wait months for the development of targeted preparations. The portal Nature News called the results exciting, but also emphasized that the path from a mouse model to a safe human vaccine is long and full of challenges. Nevertheless, it is one of the most promising directions in vaccine research in recent years.
