The Future of Vaccines
- provax
- Mar 31, 2014
- 1 min read
Samantha White
Vaccine technology has progressed markedly over the past 20 years, however the global burden of disease due to infectious diseases still remains high. Future strategies include extending the use of current vaccines, developing new vaccines, and developing better delivery methods.
Existing technologies used in new ways
Administration of new vaccines to pregnant women, to protect the newborn baby after birth (antibodies cross the placenta).
Targeting the elderly, as they will make up a higher proportion of our population in the future and will benefit by having protection from VPDs whilst in hospital.
New technologies
New and improved adjuvants (substances in vaccines that enhance the immune response), to remove the need for multiple shots of the same vaccine.
Needle-free administration of vaccines (already a reality for the polio vaccine, which has facilitated it’s near eradication).
Multiple vaccines in the one injection without impairing the immune response to each (already a reality for some vaccines e.g. MMR)
Novel vaccines
Research is focused on developing vaccines for challenging chronic infections, such as HIV, dengue, malaria and tuberculosis.
Vaccines for cancers (e.g. HPV vaccine for cervical cancer)
“Negative vaccinations” for switching off the immune system, for treating autoimmune disorders.
Source
The science of immunisation: Questions and Answers. Australian Academy of Science. Canberra; www.science.org.au/immunisation. 2012.
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