Immunization has played a significant role in the healthcare industry, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Following the pandemic, the White House released its National Biodefense Strategy in 2022 that emphasizes future pandemic preparedness.
The United States has planned to invest $88 billion in pandemic preparedness over the next five years, working with allies and partners to pioneer new medicines and treatments.
With how much immunization has progressed in recent years, where is the future of immunization heading? Let’s take a look at new methods and trends for this essential aspect of the healthcare industry.
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New Vaccine Development Techniques
As we saw during the pandemic, new methods of developing vaccines have emerged—we’ve all heard about the COVID mRNA vaccines, but that’s not the only new method on the market.
According to a study by Rand Health Quarterly, nanoparticle (NP) vaccines, viral-like particle (VLP) vaccines, and universal vaccines are also beginning to take shape.
Whew, that’s a lot of new terms at once. Don’t worry—up next is a breakdown of each type, as well as the development behind them.
mRNA Vaccines
An mRNA vaccine is where mRNA is used instead of subunits of pathogens. These vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein that the immune system recognizes as foreign, so it produces antibodies to fight against the infection.
With COVID vaccines jumpstarting this new method, mRNA technology is paving the way for new vaccines that are quicker and easier to modify and develop against emerging viruses.
In fact, Moderna’s skin cancer vaccine trial recently demonstrated that mRNA vaccines can be personalized in as little as six weeks, which is promising news for the future of immunization.
NP and VLP Vaccines
NP and VLP vaccines are alternative vaccine approaches that offer increased stability and immunogenicity compared to vaccines that use subunits of a pathogen.
NP vaccines work by encapsulating antigens needed to bring about an immune response in a simpler, safer, and more efficient way than conventional or live-attenuated vaccines are capable of.
NP vaccines may also get rid of the need for vaccines to be injected, as these can be administered nasally or through an inhaler. VLP vaccines, a subset of NP vaccines, do not have any viral genetic material but are made with virus-like molecules that mimic the virus.
Because of this, the VLPs are unable to replicate in cells but are still able to trigger an immune response. This offers increased suitability for people with weakened immune systems who would otherwise be at risk of contracting a disease through conventional vaccines.
Universal Vaccines
Universal vaccines can counter multiple variants of a specific disease. This is achieved by displaying a specific protein presented by multiple variants of that disease, which triggers an immune response.
Multiple efforts are underway to develop a universal influenza vaccine, with trials currently displaying promising results. If successful, the vaccine will provide longer-lasting protection against a variety of seasonal influenza viruses and influenza viruses with pandemic potential.
Although there aren’t yet any universal vaccines approved for public use, these vaccines show promise in remaining effective despite pathogen mutations, which means they’ll require few or no booster shots.
New Delivery Techniques
In addition to new development methods, there’s also been great strides in how these vaccines are delivered and administered.
Unlike in the past, a vaccine no longer means you’ll need a shot. As mentioned earlier, inhaled vaccines are already in development in some cases—influenza vaccines have been made in a nasal spray and is available every year to fight seasonal flu.
Another delivery method in the works is a patch application, which consists of extremely tiny needles that deliver a vaccine without the use of a syringe. This could be especially useful in remote areas, as its application wouldn’t need a trained medical professional.
A delivery issue that researchers are also trying to address is the cold-chain problem—many vaccines need cool storage temperatures to stay viable, but temperature-controlled storage is often unavailable in the parts of the world where vaccination is vital for disease control.
An approach to this problem is finding new methods of storage, such as a small filter-like membrane coated with an ultra-thin layer of sugar glass that contained viral particles inside.
When using this method, researchers could store viruses at temperatures of up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit for six months without losing the ability to provoke an immune response.
Researchers also demonstrated that the vaccine material could be placed in a holder designed to attach to a syringe, allowing a vaccinator to prepare the vaccine material (with a fluid medium inside the syringe) and administer the vaccine almost at the same time.
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Ready to Help the Future of Immunization?
The future of immunization depends on the success of medical research for vaccines that:
- are simpler to administer
- survive transport even without refrigeration
- provide a more substantial and long-lasting immune response
Are you ready to make your mark on the healthcare sphere by leading progress towards a stronger future of immunization? Start hiring expert medical professionals with Insight Global.
We’ll help you find quality talent with the ability to drive real change. As experts in healthcare staffing, we’ll take care of matching you with the right team to change the world. Contact us today to get started.
Hiring Immunization Professionals?
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