Inhalable vaccines could be used to prevent lung diseases

Scientists in the US are investigating new technologies that could lead to a range of vaccines that people can one day inhale to target lung diseases.

The research, published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explores how tiny particles known as nanoparticles could be used to develop vaccines to prevent lung diseases including flu, pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB). The researchers have looked at specific ways of adapting nanoparticles to make the vaccines more effective.

Inhalable vaccines could bring a range of benefits, including making vaccination more accessible. For example, this type of vaccine may not need to be refrigerated, which could mean it has a longer shelf-life but also makes it easier to distribute around the world.

Read the original news story.

Read the abstract of the journal article.