Stanford Researchers Develop Universal Nasal Spray Vaccine

Experimental vaccine shows broad protection against viruses, bacteria, and allergies in animal trials.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Researchers at Stanford Medicine have developed a universal nasal spray vaccine that, in trials with mice, has demonstrated protection against a wide range of respiratory threats including viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, bacterial infections such as Staphylococcus aureus, and common allergens like house dust mites. The vaccine works by bolstering the body's natural defenses in the lungs, keeping them on high alert for months.

Why it matters

The potential impact of a single annual nasal spray offering protection against COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the common cold, bacterial pneumonia, and seasonal allergies could fundamentally change how we approach respiratory illness prevention.

The details

The experimental vaccine, known as GLA-3M-052-LS+OVA, utilizes a harmless antigen called ovoalbumin to attract immune cells to the lungs and sustain an enhanced innate immune response. Delivering the vaccine via a nasal spray is crucial, as it directly activates immune defenses in the nasal mucosa, the primary entry point for many respiratory pathogens.

  • The vaccine has only been tested on mice so far.
  • Human clinical trials are the next step for the researchers.

The players

Stanford Medicine

A leading academic medical center and research institution located in Stanford, California.

Bali Pulendran

The senior author of the study and a professor at Stanford Medicine.

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What they’re saying

“The level of protection observed 'surpassed our expectations.'”

— Bali Pulendran, Study Senior Author (Science)

What’s next

If initial safety trials are successful, larger studies will follow, potentially including controlled exposure to infections.

The takeaway

This universal nasal spray vaccine represents a significant breakthrough in respiratory illness prevention, offering the potential for a single annual treatment that could protect against a wide range of viruses, bacteria, and allergens.