The University of the Sunshine Coast will soon begin a phase one clinical trial of a potential new nasal spray vaccine for COVID-19.

UniSC Clinical Trials will conduct the study, sponsored by Netherlands-based company Intravacc, at its Sippy Downs centre at the Sunshine Coast.

At present, all approved vaccines for COVID-19 are administered by injection into the upper arm. The trial vaccine is administered into the nasal passage, similar to an allergy spray.

UniSC Clinical Trials Principal Investigator Dr Rob Scott, who will oversee the trial, said it would investigate how safe the nasal spray was as a vaccine and how well it worked in eliciting an immune response.

“This is an exciting evolution in vaccines by targeting the virus where it enters the body, by spraying the vaccine into the nasal passage,” Dr Scott said.

“This technology could allow for quicker and safer distribution as it’s easier to transport and store than the average injectable vaccine.”

Lead Clinical Research Coordinator James Donkin said healthy volunteers, aged between 18 and 55, who could commit to up to eight in-person visits and three phone calls for a period of up to 6 months, were being sought for the trial.

“Approximately 36 participants will be enrolled in the study, and will be reimbursed for their time,” he said.

For more information or to register interest in the study, go to www.usc.edu.au/trials