Our vaccine triggers both mucosal and systemic immune responses that are long-lasting and cross-reactive within virus families. The mucosal immune responses are both local to the intestinal delivery site and distal, potentially providing protection across multiple mucosal surfaces, including the nose, the mouth, and the intestines. Potent vaccine-induced antibodies were even induced in breast milk of lactating mothers, which could provide potential immunization benefits from mothers to their young children. Because mucosal surfaces are the first line of defense for multiple pathogens including COVID-19, influenza and norovirus, viruses that are known to undergo frequent mutation, a durable and broad immune response at the mucosa could provide enhanced protection against disease compared to traditional vaccines.
