February 20, 2026, 2:09 p.mFebruary 20, 2026, 2:09 p.m
Researchers at Stanford University have tested a vaccine that can protect against all types of coughs, colds and flu. The vaccine may even be useful against allergies.
The vaccine is a nasal spray vaccine, like “BBC” reported. This means that the vaccine should be administered as a nasal spray. The administered dose brings white blood cells into the lungs, which settle there and become active immediately as soon as an infection occurs.
The vaccine is intended to ward off any flu or cold. (symbol image)
White blood cells are present throughout the human body. They are essential cells for the immune system and fight pathogens such as bacteria, viruses or fungi.
This type of vaccine is designed to mimic how immune cells communicate with each other. These cells should be constantly on alert and be able to react immediately if viruses enter the body.
Vaccines that are injected are designed to fight a particular type of virus. A vaccination against measles only protects against exactly this disease and nothing else.
The Stanford University team has so far only tested the vaccine on animals. The effect of the new vaccine lasted around three months on the animals. According to the BBC, the researchers showed that the vaccination led to a 100 to 1,000-fold reduction in the number of viruses entering the lungs.
The researchers now want to conduct clinical studies on humans to test whether the human body responds just as well to the universal vaccine. (nib)
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