Tuesday, according to the Russian TASS News Agency, a vaccine designed by the Research Institute of Influenza in St. Petersburg against COVID-19 in the form of a nasal spray showed positive immune responses and safety during preclinical trials.

The Research Institute of Influenza is a Russian Health Ministry and WHO-based institute.

Sources told TASS that the results are promising and preclinical trials show clear production of antibodies when the nasal vaccine is administered. The protective properties of the vaccine are being studied using animal testing.

Sources previously mentioned that the institute’s scientists were developing a vaccine against COVID-19 on the basis of the influenza virus. They indicated that during this, a weak version of the influenza virus is used as a vector to transport the proteins of the coronavirus, and that the immune response to it should provide protection from the disease.

The source added that all preclinical studies will be completed by May 2021.