Solid, heat-resistant vaccine to ease immunisation processes
Friday, May 1, 2015
EU researchers have set out to substitute liquid and freeze-dried vaccines for new, solid state candidates. If successful, the research will enable the large scale production of new virosome-based vaccines with increased stability, longer shelf life and less invasive administration methods.
To this day, immunisation remains the most effective way to eradicate diseases. Their widespread use has helped reduce the incidence of diseases such as hepatitis A, polio, rubella, tetanus or varicella by over 90 % compared to pre-vaccine era.
A major problem for health professionals, however, has been the instability of these biological preparations. Transported in liquid or freeze-dried form, vaccines require strict respect of the cold-chain and extreme finesse to maintain their safety and efficacy and ultimately avoid unwanted immune responses or insufficient immune protection. Conscious that factors such as heat, light, radiations or changes in the environment can affect vaccines’ components, researchers funded under the MACIVIVA project are now considering solid vaccines as a potential solution.
Source: MedicalXpress (link opens in a new window)
- Categories
- Health Care
