Advances and prospects of respiratory mucosal vaccines: mechanisms, technologies, and clinical applications

Respiratory mucosal immunity constitutes a critical barrier against pathogen invasion and has emerged as a promising target for vaccine development. This review outlines current understanding of its mechanisms, recent technological advances, and clinical progress. Compared with conventional vaccines, mucosal vaccines more effectively elicit localized and systemic immune responses. Key challenges and future directions are discussed, highlighting their potential in controlling emerging respiratory infections through improved immunological protection.