An intranasal quadruple variant vaccine approach using SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A: Delta, Omicron, H1N1and H3N2.

Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses are both responsible for respiratory tract infections that have caused global outbreaks. Due to frequent mutations, the CDC recommends annual COVID-19 vaccination (CDC Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines, 2025), and studies confirm the safety of co-administering it with the flu shot (CDC Getting a Flu Vaccine and Other Recommended Vaccines at the Same Time, 2025). A combination vaccine streamlines dual immunization, reducing the need for separate vaccinations.

Microneedle Delivery of Heterologous Microparticulate COVID-19 Vaccine Induces Cross Strain Specific Antibody Levels in Mice.

Background: In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, largely driven by the emergence of various genetic mutations within the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although the pandemic phase has passed, the full extent of the virus's evolutionary trajectory remains uncertain, highlighting the need for continued research in vaccine development to establish a cross-reactive approach that can effectively address different variants. This proof-of-concept study aimed to assess the effectiveness of microparticulate vaccine delivery through the minimally invasive microneedle route of administration, using a heterologous prime-booster strategy against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Delivery of PLGA-Loaded Influenza Vaccine Microparticles Using Dissolving Microneedles Induces a Robust Immune Response.

Influenza virus is one of the major respiratory virus infections that is a global health concern. Although there are already approved vaccines, most are administered via the intramuscular route, which is usually painful, leading to vaccine hesitancy. To this end, exploring the non-invasive, transdermal vaccination route using dissolving microneedles would significantly improve vaccine compliance.

Evaluating the Immunogenicity of an Intranasal Microparticle Combination Vaccine for COVID-19 and Influenza.

Background: Infectious respiratory pathogens like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza frequently mutate, leading to the emergence of variants. This necessitates continuous updates to FDA-approved vaccines with booster shots targeting the circulating variants. Vaccine hesitancy and needle injections create inconvenience and contribute to reduced global vaccination rates.

Intranasal Immunization for Zika in a Pre-Clinical Model.

Humans continue to be at risk from the Zika virus. Although there have been significant research advancements regarding Zika, the absence of a vaccine or approved treatment poses further challenges for healthcare providers. In this study, we developed a microparticulate Zika vaccine using an inactivated whole Zika virus as the antigen that can be administered pain-free via intranasal (IN) immunization.