Injection-free vaccinations

Injection-free vaccinations developed with the help of the Gates Foundation



Researchers have proved that "injection-free" vaccines are an
effective tool in the fight against diseases. The team, based in King's
College London and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,
used dried sugar to create a microneedle array — a tiny disc that only
lightly perforates the skin. The dried sugar, which was laced with a
proposed HIV vaccine, dissolves when inserted in to the skin,
effectively delivering the vaccine and kick-starting an immune response.
The method is far less invasive than conventional vaccines that are
delivered via a hypodermic needle.



Other benefits to the microneedle array include preservation; many
traditional liquid vaccines need to be kept at extremely low
temperatures, which is a major barrier to transportation. The
researchers' dried vaccine, however, remained as stable and effective at
room temperature as the same dose of liquid vaccine preserved at minus
80 degrees Celsius.

The work could lower the cost of vaccinations

The team's findings, which expand on years of research across the
globe, could help lower the cost of vaccinations across the globe. Dr
Linda Klavinskis of Kings College says the work "could potentially
reduce the cost of manufacturing and transportation" as there would be
no need for refrigeration, as well lowering the risk of transmitting
diseases through contaminated needles and syringes. The team hopes to
one day use the method to vaccinate against HIV, malaria, and
tuberculosis; three global issues that the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation is focused on fixing.

Source:-
http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/8/3966856/microneedle-array-dried-sugar-vaccine-could-reduce-costs