Journal article
Needle-free influenza vaccination
Vaccination is the cornerstone of influenza control in epidemic and pandemic situations. Influenza vaccines are typically given by intramuscular injection. However, needle-free vaccinations could offer several distinct advantages over intramuscular injections: they are pain-free, easier to distribute, and easier to give to patients, and their use could reduce vaccination costs. Moreover, vaccine delivery via the respiratory tract, alimentary tract, or skin might elicit mucosal immune responses at the site of virus entry and better cellular immunity, thus improving effectiveness. Although various needle-free vaccination methods for influenza have shown preclinical promise, few have progressed to clinical trials—only live attenuated intranasal vaccines have received approval, and only in some countries. Further clinical investigation is needed to help realise the potential of needle-free vaccination for influenza.
Authors
Languages
- English
Publication year
2010
Journal
Vaccine
Volume
10
Type
Journal article
Categories
- Programme management
Diseases
- Influenza