Sunshine Coast residents join new vaccine trial

A new Covid-19 vaccine is being trialled on the Sunshine Coast, promising to offer a jab-free option.

Principal Investigator Dr Rob Scott from the University of the Sunshine Coast who will soon begin a phase one clinical trial of a potential new nasal spray vaccine for COVID-19. Picture Lachie Millard

A breakthrough new Covid-19 vaccine that doesn’t involve injections has begun clinical trials on the Sunshine Coast, with disease experts optimistic of its success.

The vaccine would be administered through a nasal spray, described as being similar to those used for allergies, rather than an arm injection.

The trial, sponsored by Intravacc, is the first human clinical trial of the vaccine in the world and it is being conducted by the University of the Sunshine Coast on the Sippy Downs campus.

Infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin said the concept of a nasal spray vaccine was a great way to improve vaccine accessibility and could provide better protection from infections.

“The benefit is that it not only avoids a needle, which can be an issue with young kids, but it can even give a stronger response, because it is given via the nasal passage,” Dr Griffin said.

“Most people contract Covid-19 through their nasal passage so it is blocking the virus right at the start.

“We also know that needle phobias are very significant, some studies suggest 10 per cent of people may suffer from that fear, so to have an option for those people will be a big step forward.”

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Dr Griffin said while Covid-19 was still posing a threat to vulnerable members of the community, the urgency to develop vaccines had eased off, meaning the spray was likely to take a few years to become available.

“We know that the development was extremely fast with the vaccines we have now, but this one could take a bit longer, I would say it is likely to be a few years before the sprays are available,” Dr Griffin said.

“Despite commentary that Covid-19 is over we need to keep protecting those more vulnerable and more vaccine options is a great way to encourage that.”

The principal investigator of the trial Dr Rob Scott said 10 Sunshine Coast residents were already participating in the world-first trial.

“One of the reasons to have a nasal spray vaccine is mostly because the virus replicates in the nose, so if we can generate an immune response in the nose it may even help prevent transmission and end the pandemic,” Dr Scott said.

According to Queensland Health 92 per cent of the state has received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, with a fifth dose now available.

The clinical trial is looking for approximately 36 healthy participants, aged between 18 and 55, who are able to attend various check-ups for six months.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast residents join new vaccine trial