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Chapel Hill Today
By the People, for the People
Stanford Researchers Develop Universal Vaccine for Respiratory Threats
Vaccine protects against viruses, bacteria, and allergens in mice, raising hopes for a one-stop solution to seasonal and pandemic respiratory illnesses.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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Stanford Medicine researchers have developed a universal vaccine formula that protects mice against a wide range of respiratory viruses, bacteria, and allergens. The vaccine, delivered intranasally, works by integrating the innate and adaptive immune systems to provide broad and long-lasting protection in the lungs. In tests, vaccinated mice were protected against SARS-CoV-2, other coronaviruses, common hospital-acquired infections, and house dust mite allergens for several months.
Why it matters
A truly universal vaccine that can counter diverse respiratory pathogens has long been considered a 'pie-in-the-sky' idea. If successfully translated to humans, such a vaccine could replace multiple seasonal shots and be on hand to protect against future pandemics, transforming medical practice.
The details
The new vaccine doesn't mimic any part of a pathogen, but instead mimics the signals that immune cells use to communicate with each other during an infection. This novel strategy integrates the innate and adaptive immune systems, creating a feedback loop that sustains a broad immune response in the lungs. The vaccine contains a harmless antigen that recruits T cells to the lungs, which then send signals to keep the innate immune cells active for weeks to months.
- The study was published on February 19, 2026.
- The researchers hope to test the vaccine in humans within the next 5-7 years, pending funding and successful trials.
The players
Bali Pulendran
The Violetta L. Horton Professor II and a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford Medicine, who is the senior author of the study.
Haibo Zhang
A postdoctoral scholar in Pulendran's lab and the lead author of the study.
What they’re saying
“What's remarkable about the innate system is that it can protect against a broad range of different microbes.”
— Bali Pulendran, Professor of microbiology and immunology (Mirage News)
“I think what we have is a universal vaccine against diverse respiratory threats.”
— Bali Pulendran, Professor of microbiology and immunology (Mirage News)
What’s next
The researchers hope to test the vaccine in humans in a Phase I safety trial, and if successful, move on to a larger trial where vaccinated people are exposed to infections.
The takeaway
This groundbreaking research represents a major step towards a 'one-stop' solution for protecting against a wide range of seasonal and pandemic respiratory illnesses, potentially transforming how we approach vaccination and public health preparedness.
