Challenges of Current COVID-19 Vaccines

Current COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness but fall short in preventing infection and transmission. Studies reveal that vaccinated individuals often still contract SARS-CoV, as these vaccines do not enhance immune responses in the nasal cavity where the virus typically enters. Research from Harvard and the University of Ghent highlights that the mucosal immune response is insufficiently stimulated by current vaccination methods, leading to potential gaps in protection. This indicates a need for developing mucosal vaccines that could target the respiratory tract directly, potentially leading to better prevention strategies.