Researchers Begin Trials of COVID-19 Nasal Spray Vaccine
Voice of America
SYDNEY - Researchers in Australia are starting clinical trials of a new type of COVID-19 vaccine — a nasal spray. Scientists at Brisbane's Nucleus Network believe that the treatment could be more effective against the virus than the AstraZeneca and Pfizer drugs and that it would allow patients who are afraid of needles to be inoculated.
Despite concerted public health campaigns, the vaccination program in Australia has been slow compared with those of other countries. There have been supply problems, complaints about poor planning by the government and, with the country’s relatively low level of coronavirus cases, complacency and hesitancy in the community. Australia is accelerating its inoculation rollout. In the future, vaccines could be administered more easily — as a nasal spray designed to “attack the virus” as it enters the body. Dr. Paul Griffin, medical director at the Nucleus Network, a research organization that’s beginning trials of the nasal therapy, said that while other drugs mostly protect against developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, this one aims to reduce the risk of infection.India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) greets supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during his election campaign rally in Prayagraj, northern India, on May 21, 2024. People queue up to vote outside a polling booth during the fifth round of multi-phase national election in Howrah, India, May 20, 2024. Supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wear party headwear and cut out masks India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign rally attended by Modi in Prayagraj on May 21, 2024.
FILE PHOTO: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te's inauguration ceremony at the Presidential office building in Taipei Taiwan's new President Lai Ching-te, right, and former President Tsai Ing-wen wave during Lai's inauguration ceremonies in Taipei, Taiwan, May 20, 2024.
FILE - A boy waves a Palestinian flag in Barcelona, Spain, on Jan. 20, 2024. European Union countries Spain and Ireland as well as Norway on Wednesday announced dates for recognizing Palestine as a state. A ship transporting international humanitarian aid is moored at the US-built Trident Pier near Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on May 21, 2024.
People queue up to vote outside a polling booth during the fifth round of multi-phase national election in Howrah, India, May 20, 2024. A woman carrying her daughter leaves after casting vote in a polling station during the fifth round of multi-phase national elections in Mumbai, India, May 20, 2024.
Ukrainian servicemen of the 92nd separate assault brigade load shells in an M109 self-propelled howitzer before firing towards Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv region, Ukraine May 20, 2024. In this photo released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on May 21, 2024, a Russian crew prepares a Tu-22M3 bomber for a training mission as part of drills to train the military for using tactical nuclear weapons at an undisclosed location in Russia.