A new nasal spray vaccine for preventing influenza in children
Official title: New Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccine for Children (Research Supplement for Post Baccalaureate Diversity Candidate)
Funded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso · NIH-10838135 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new nasal spray flu vaccine designed just for kids, aiming to make it safer and more effective in protecting them from the flu.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $145,772 |
| NIH project number | 3R15HD109732-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10838135 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are at risk for influenza infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those with contraindications to vaccination may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel nasal spray influenza vaccine specifically for children, addressing the ongoing public health challenge posed by influenza. The approach involves creating a self-attenuated influenza virus that uses artificial microRNAs to target and inhibit viral replication. By evaluating the efficacy of this candidate vaccine, the research aims to provide a more effective and safer option for protecting young children against influenza, especially in light of evolving viral strains and drug resistance. The study will involve rigorous testing to ensure the vaccine's effectiveness and safety for pediatric use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective and safer influenza vaccination option for children, potentially reducing the incidence of influenza and its complications.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been advancements in influenza vaccines, this specific approach using self-attenuated viruses and artificial microRNAs is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zeng, Mingtao — Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso
- Study coordinator: Zeng, Mingtao
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.