RALEIGH, NC. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — We now have vaccines that protect against more than 30 life-threatening diseases, helping people live longer, healthier lives. In fact, immunizations prevent up to five million deaths every year. But for some, fear of needles still keeps them from rolling up their sleeve. So, what if protection didn’t require a shot at all? Researchers are now testing a surprising new way to deliver vaccines — using something many of us already have in our bathroom.
Flu. COVID. Measles. Shingles. Tetanus. HPV. RSV. Most vaccines today still come the same way: a needle in the arm. But researchers at NC State are testing a new approach that could one day change that.
Harvinder Singh Gill, PhD, Chemical Engineer at NC State University says, “They should be able to just go and floss, and they have the vaccine administered.”
Yes — floss!
Researchers at NC State believe the small space between the teeth and gums may be a perfect doorway for delivering medicine.
That permeable tissue could allow vaccines to enter the body without a needle and trigger stronger protection where many viruses first attack, like the nose, mouth and lungs.
Professor Gill says, “We should expect a good response through this route. In addition, we should expect a mucosal immune response.”
And there could be other advantages.
“You could do it yourself, so you didn’t have to stand in the line. So, you could buy it, get it from somewhere, and do it right there,” explains Professor Gill.
Also, researchers say floss-based vaccines would not need extra cold storage.
Professor Gill told Ivanhoe, “The future of vaccines, as I see it, is something where you are not afraid of taking vaccines.”
A future where protection could be part of your daily routine right along with brushing and flossing.
Early studies show promising results. Human trials would be the next step. Researchers say this approach is designed for older children and adults and wouldn’t replace traditional shots for infants, who don’t yet have teeth.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; & Roque Correa, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1
* For More Information, Contact:
Lauren Leslie Barker
919-515-4734
