Immunization with Aerosols – State of the Art

Abstract

Since its discovery in 1796 by Edward Jenner, vaccines have been an integral aspect of therapeutics, combating a number of infectious diseases with remarkable success. Although the currently available vaccines represent an outstanding success story in modern medicine and have had a dramatic effect on morbidity and mortality worldwide, it is clear that improvements are desirable in the current vaccine delivery technologies. Recent results indicate that the respiratory system, and the nasal mucosa in particular provide a valuable target site for immunisation against respiratory and mucosal pathogens. The storage and respiratory delivery of vaccines but also of drugs has been shown to provide improved stability and extended retention time in the respiratory mucosa. These features, in addition to the non-invasive nature of respiratory delivery, can provide benefits to public health vaccination campaigns, facilitating mass vaccination without the high cost of maintaining cold-chain storage. This offers improved safety and compliance, decreasing costs, and reducing pain associated with vaccinations. Examples of current approaches will be discussed.