COVID shots: Could there soon be a nasal spray vaccine? Researchers find promising results

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- There's been a lot of confusion over COVID-19 shots and boosters regarding how many you need and when you need them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said all Americans over 12 should receive the new booster against omicron, but so far, only about 4% have done so. Now, scientists are testing a nasal spray they say has been very effective in the lab trials and may someday be a viable option for patients.

From allergy relief to protection from the flu, a quick pump delivers medication directly into the respiratory system. Now, Yale researchers are testing the promising booster nasal spray.

"The reason we're focusing on the nasal cavity is because that's where the virus first lands," said Yale School of Medicine immunobiologist Akiko Iwasaki.

Iwasaki said current mRNA boosters lose strength over time and are not as effective in the nose and respiratory tract. The Yale nasal spray contains spike proteins from the coronavirus.

"Essentially, it's a booster that contains the right vaccine antigen inside that bottle," Iwasaki adds.

For some patients who are reluctant to get the COVID booster because they hate needles, a nasal spray could be a better option. Iwasaki said there are also other benefits.

"It may have less side effect than having a shot. So people who are afraid of the side effect, hopefully this will also alleviate such hesitation," she said.

Yale University has licensed the nasal vaccine. Iwasaki and a colleague, Mark Salzman, are co-founders of Xanadu Bio, a spinoff company that would allow them to take the vaccination techniques to production.