How does Intranasal vaccines work?

Intranasal vaccines work by stimulating an immune response in the respiratory tract, which is the part of the body responsible for filtering and humidifying air as it is breathed in. When a vaccine is administered through the nose, it comes into contact with the mucous membranes lining the inside of the nose and throat. These mucous membranes are rich in immune cells, such as antibodies and T cells, which are responsible for protecting the body from infection.

When an intranasal vaccine enters the body, it triggers the immune system to produce an immune response. The vaccine contains a small amount of a weakened or inactivated form of the pathogen (virus, bacteria, or other infectious agent) that it is designed to protect against. When the vaccine is introduced into the body, the immune system recognizes it as a foreign substance and mounts an immune response to it. This response includes the production of antibodies and the activation of immune cells, such as T cells, which help to fight off the infection.

As the immune system mounts a response to the vaccine, it also becomes primed to recognize and respond to the actual pathogen if it is encountered in the future. This process of immune priming allows the body to mount a more rapid and effective response to the pathogen, which helps to prevent or reduce the severity of the infection.

Intranasal vaccines can be administered using a spray or drop formulation, depending on the specific vaccine and the population it is being administered to. They can be administered by a healthcare professional or self-administered by the individual receiving the vaccine.