Researchers begin trial of nasal spray COVID-19 vaccine

KPWHRI is inviting healthy adults to take part — volunteers do not need to be members of Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWHRI) is recruiting volunteers for a clinical trial of a nasal COVID-19 vaccine developed by Boost Biopharma Inc.

The vaccine contains molecules called protein antigens, which produce an immune response by mimicking a part of the virus. Administering the vaccine as a nasal spray offers the potential to create an additional layer of protection, known as mucosal immunity.

“This may offer a way to both prevent COVID-19 infections in vaccinated persons as well as to block the onward transmission of COVID-19,” said KPWHRI Senior Investigator Lisa Jackson, MD, who is overseeing the research at the institute.

The trial is taking place at 6 research sites across the United States. Half of the sites — including KPWHRI’s Seattle research clinic — will test the nasal vaccine. The other half will test a version of the vaccine delivered via an intramuscular injection.

For this Phase 1 trial, the researchers will evaluate whether the vaccines are safe and can help the body produce antibodies against the COVID-19 virus. The research is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Who can participate?

KPWHRI is enrolling healthy adults ages 18 to 64 who:

• Have not had a COVID-19 infection or vaccine within the last 16 weeks
• Do not smoke (including vaping)
• Have not used a steroid nasal spray within 30 days and will not use steroid sprays throughout the study

What does participation involve?

• Having one dose of the study vaccine delivered by nasal spray into both nostrils
• Attending 8 study visits at KPWHRI’s research clinic in downtown Seattle and having 1 phone visit over a 6- to 7-month period
• Having nasal swabs at every research clinic visit and a blood draw and saliva collection at most visits
• Answering questions on a worksheet about possible vaccine reactions every evening for at least 8 days after having the study vaccine

Participants will receive $100 in compensation for each of the first 2 research clinic visits (screening and enrollment) and $50 for each follow-up visit. They will also receive free parking in the research clinic's garage or free bus tickets.

To learn more about this trial, please visit Nasal Spray COVID-19 Vaccine Study.

By Sophie Ramsey​​​​