Researchers publishing in Science Advances describe a combined single-shot vaccine that may protect against influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The work responds to a recent "tripledemic" of these respiratory viruses; the 2023–2024 season in the United States was associated with about 1 million combined hospitalizations.
The vaccine uses the CoPoP platform: tiny spherical nanoparticles made of cobalt and porphyrin with an outer phospholipid shell. The team attached five viral proteins to the particles via histidine tags (his-tags) that bind cobalt ions. Because CoPoP delivers proteins rather than genetic instructions, it differs from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The formulation also included the immune-stimulating ingredients PHAD and QS-21 to increase potency.
Animal tests in mice, ferrets and cotton rats produced protective antibody responses comparable to vaccines that target a single virus. The study found no clear immune interference, although the researchers caution that subtle interactions and different dosing conditions still need evaluation. Previous work with CoPoP supported a COVID-19 vaccine candidate that advanced through phase 2 and phase 3 trials in South Korea and the Philippines. The reported research was supported by the National Institutes of Health and a McGill University grant.
Difficult words
- tripledemic — A simultaneous outbreak of three respiratory epidemics
- nanoparticle — A very small particle measured at nanometer scalenanoparticles
- porphyrin — A organic compound often binding metal ions
- phospholipid — A molecule forming the outer layer of membranes
- his-tag — A short histidine sequence used to bind metalhis-tags
- immune interference — When immune responses reduce effectiveness of another vaccine
- formulation — A prepared combination of ingredients for a vaccine
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the potential benefits and risks of a single-shot vaccine that covers multiple respiratory viruses?
- Why is it important that the study tested animals like mice, ferrets and cotton rats, and what further tests would you expect before human use?
- How could a combined vaccine affect hospitalizations during a severe respiratory virus season, based on the article?
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