'Universal' nasal-spray vaccine protects against viruses, bacteria and allergens in mice

A close up image of a white mouse with red eyes and a pink nose sitting in a right hand wearing a green latex glove, all against a tan background.

What if a single vaccine could offer protection against a range of disease-causing bacteria, common allergens and respiratory viruses? A new mouse study highlights an experimental vaccine that could potentially offer that elusive "universal" protection.

As it's been tested only in lab animals, the vaccine must still pass a number of trials in people before it can be proven safe and effective.