Scientists develop powder measles vaccine

By Staff Reporter - 28 Nov '14 12:40PM

Researchers are currently working on a powder measles vaccine which is safe for human testing.

The vaccine, which is in the form of a dry powder, can be delivered with a puff of air, and has already proved its efficacy in human trials. Earlier animal trials of this measles vaccine have also been successful, and it seems, very soon we may have it for use.

Measles is a childhood infection of respiratory system, skin and immune system. Generally, a special kind of virus is responsible for it. It is considered as an extremely contagious disease as the virus can even transferred through direct contact with patients.

"Measles is one of the most readily transmitted communicable diseases and probably the best known and most deadly of all childhood rash/fever illnesses", according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Robert Sievers, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Colorado and a fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences states that "You don't need to worry about needles; you don't need to worry about reconstituting vaccines with clean water; you don't need to worry about disposal of sharps waste or other vaccine wastage issues; and dry delivery is cheaper." He explains that most vaccine manufacturers make measles vaccines as dry powders, but healthcare providers add water in order to make them injectable.

The researchers conducted animal trials for the study, and found that the vaccine was able to protect rhesus macaques and cotton rats from measles infections. What's best, the researchers found that this vaccine can be safely stored for 6 months- 4 years at room temperature or in a refrigerator.

The researchers took in 60 adult males in the age group of 18 to 45 years for the study. In the clinical trial, the study researchers were tested the delivery of powder with two devices and then compared the groups with the group that received the typical injection.

Sixty percent of the group that inhaled it didn't show any negative symptoms, but it should be borne in mind that they already had immunity to the disease. But the researchers are working in Phase 2 and 3 trials to gather evidence about its safety and effectiveness as a inhalable measles vaccine powder.