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Coronavirus: An anti-viral pill instead of a vaccine?

Coronavirus: An anti-viral pill instead of a vaccine?
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Oxford University focuses on developing anti-disease tablets or even nasal sprays

Scientists at the University of Oxford are focusing on immunization methods without injection against Covid-19.

As Professor Sarah Gilbert revealed, her team is exploring new ways to administer the coronary artery vaccine.

A pill, for example, could replace vaccines. Why not a nasal spray?

The British could in the future protect themselves against the coronavirus in the form of a pill, according to the chief scientist for vaccination against Covid at the  University of Oxford.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Professor Gilbert told British MPs that her group had focused on finding new ways – without injection – to administer the Covid vaccine.

Her team is investigating the administration of a drug either by nasal spray, as in the case of influenza in children, or in the form of tablets, used against polio.

“This would not only be great news for people who are afraid of needles, but it could also give a breath of fresh air to the issue of vaccine supply that has delayed the distribution of vaccines internationally,” she said.

She added that the use of pills or nasal sprays can better target the immune cells in the lungs, throat, and nose, making them even more effective in fighting the virus.

Speaking to the Science and Technology Committee of the House of Commons, the British scientist stressed:

“As you know, all vaccines are currently given as intramuscular injections. This is not necessarily the best way to protect against a respiratory virus infection, where we want the immune system to be active in the upper respiratory tract and in the lower respiratory tract, where the virus causes the infection.”

Earlier, on February 8, the person in charge of the vaccination strategy in Britain had stated that citizens could in the future take a pill instead of the coronary vaccine.

In a statement to the Telegraph, Nadhim Zahawi said that at the moment, scientists are mainly working on how to make vaccines resistant to coronavirus mutations.

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