Powder vaccine for measles

A new vaccine is being developed that could tackle measles more effectively than existing methods.

The first dry powder inhalable vaccine for the disease is being created at the University of Colorado and is expected to be trialled in India next year.

Dr Robert Sievers from the university, who led the study, suggested that the vaccine could be perfectly suited for use in developing countries.

This is because they often lack resources such as refrigeration and sterile needles that are required to guarantee the safety of liquid vaccines.

He stated: "Childhood vaccines that can be inhaled and delivered directly to mucosal surfaces have the potential to offer significant advantages over injection.

"Not only might they reduce the risk of infection from HIV, hepatitis, and other serious diseases due to unsterilised needles, they may prove more effective against disease."

The only inhalable vaccine currently available is a wet mist vaccine used to tackle influenza.

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