Transmission-blocking vaccines for respiratory viruses: from concept to clinic
Vaccine Insights 2026; 5(8), 411–416
10.18609/vac.2026.052
Published: 24 September
Commentary
Mucosal vaccines are widely proposed as a way to block respiratory virus transmission more effectively than systemic vaccines, yet supporting clinical evidence remains scarce. This Commentary outlines the obstacles to demonstrating transmission-blocking efficacy, from the absence of standardized correlates of protection to the limitations of animal and trial models, and considers how controlled human infection models, household studies, and field trials could help generate this evidence to support regulatory engagement and licensure.
What you will learn
01
Why mucosal vaccines are proposed to block respiratory virus transmission, and why supporting clinical evidence remains scarce
02
What hinders proof of transmission-blocking efficacy, from missing correlates of protection and mucosal immune markers to limited animal models and costly field trials
03
How CHIM, household studies, and cluster-randomized trials could generate evidence to support regulatory engagement and licensure
Key interests