Hope is on the horizon for those with needle phobia, as Griffith University researchers have developed a new needle-free influenza vaccine that can be administered through the nose.
Griffith University Principal Research Leader, Professor Bernd Rehm, explained in a news release that his team reprogrammed bacterial cells to create a potent vaccine. These reprogrammed bacterial cell factories can produce large quantities of vaccine particles quickly, making the vaccine both strong and cost-efficient.
The vaccine technology is not limited to human influenza prevention but also extends to avian and swine influenzas, as well as other animal flus. The manufacturing process results in robust particles that protect the vaccine from degradation, making it suitable for stockpiling.
The synthetic vaccine particles mimic the actual virus, triggering an immune response that prevents infection. The vaccine also boosts T-cells along the respiratory tract, providing protection against various influenza virus variants in living organisms.
Intranasal delivery of the vaccine offers additional benefits, especially for individuals with needle phobia. Approximately 10% of people experience moderate to severe needle phobia, leading to increased heart rate, blood pressure, trembling, and other symptoms.
The intranasal delivery of the vaccine can help individuals receive flu shots without triggering their phobia. Moreover, it can limit respiratory virus replication and shedding, reducing the spread of the virus through coughing and sneezing.
The vaccine is produced using mineral solutions and sugar without animal product-derived components or antibiotics, making it widely applicable. Professor Rehm hopes to see a human intranasal influenza vaccine available within the next three to four years, providing long-term protection against seasonal and emerging variants.
Overall, the development of this new influenza vaccine holds promise for both public health and the economy. Can you please rewrite this sentence for me?
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