Single vaccine could protect against all coughs, colds and flus, researchers say
BBC World
February 19, 2026
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A groundbreaking nasal spray vaccine developed by researchers at Stanford University could potentially protect against a wide range of respiratory infections, including coughs, colds, flus, bacterial lung infections, and even allergies. Unlike traditional vaccines that target specific pathogens, this "universal vaccine" primes the immune system to respond more effectively to diverse threats. By activating white blood cells in the lungs, it puts them on high alert, ready to combat any invading pathogen. Early tests in animals have shown remarkable results, with a 100-to-1,000-fold reduction in viral infections and rapid immune responses to bacterial challenges.
The vaccine’s approach represents a radical shift in vaccine design, which has remained largely unchanged since Edward Jenner pioneered the concept over two centuries ago. Instead of targeting individual viruses or bacteria, this new method aims to create a broad immune response that can tackle multiple pathogens simultaneously. In animal experiments, the effect lasted about three months
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/19/2026