Who Needs Next Gen Vax Tech?

The COVID-19 vaccines were developed in record time. As the novel’ coronavirus mutates, the vaccine makers, too, are adapting by innovating vaccine technologies. Researchers continue to work, aiming for more potent immunity, reduced transmissibility, cheaper manufacturing, easier transport, and mutation-targeted vaccines. The novel vaccine models may facilitate rapid and effective responses to new infectious diseases, allergies, autoimmune conditions, and cancers. Vaccination programmes can be more cost-effective and efficient by achieving global outreach, maintaining vaccine potency, and optimising logistics, thus increasing global preparedness for future pandemics and disease outbreaks. Let’s explore some of the latest advancements in vaccine technology which emerged in the era of COVID-19.

- Hithaishi C Bhaskar

Globally, mass vaccination practices and procedures were not pleasant experiences for everyone. Different age groups and vulnerable populations had to undergo mandatory national vaccination procedures to access the essentials in public spaces. Additionally, minimising injection discomfort and biohazards from syringe disposal are also serious concerns. The aim of innovative vaccines is to achieve multi-target vaccines to eliminate the need for multiple-bolus regimens. Being compliant to both manufacturer and consumer could be a potential solution for high-impact mass vaccination.

While expenses on vaccine manufacture/ delivery/storage/supply chain have become a burden on a nation’s economy, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is acknowledging the idea of a single-injection vaccine, as a preferred immunisation method. Novel injection-free and single-dose medication and vaccine delivery strategies are a pressing need of the moment. There are different ways of delivery of drugs and vaccines and some of the latest trends include Nanosystems for Transdermal Delivery, Nasal sprays, Dissolvable microneedles etc.

Nanosystems for Transdermal delivery