Oral Vaccination Protects Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in a Syrian Hamster Challenge Model
Susan Johnson, Clarissa Martinez, Sarah N. Tedjakusuma, Nadine Peinovich, Emery G. Dora, Sharla M. Birch, Adriana E. Kajon, Adam D. Werts, Sean N. Tucker
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vaccines that are shelf stable and easy to administer are crucial to improve vaccine access and reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission around the world. METHODS: In this study, we demonstrate that an oral, adenovirus-based vaccine candidate protects against SARS-CoV-2 in a Syrian hamster challenge model. RESULTS: Hamsters administered 2 doses of VXA-CoV2-1 showed a reduction in weight loss and lung pathology and had completely eliminated infectious virus 5 days postchallenge. Oral immunization induced antispike immunoglobulin G, and neutralizing antibodies were induced upon oral immunization with the sera, demonstrating neutralizing activity. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data demonstrate the ability of oral vaccine candidate VXA-CoV2-1 to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 disease.