Scientists develop techniques for vaccines in one jag

A multi-jab that could package the entire range of childhood vaccines in a single injection may be on the way.

Scientists in the US are developing a new method of containing vaccines in microscopic sealed “coffee cups”.

They are designed so that their “lids” degrade at specific times, allowing the contents to spill out.

The technology could lead to a collection of vaccines being incorporated into a single jab, including boosters that are released after a specific time period.

Lead scientist Professor Robert Langer, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: “We are very excited about this work because, for the first time, we can create a library of tiny, encased vaccine particles, each programmed to release at a precise, predictable time, so that people could potentially receive a single injection that, in effect, would have multiple boosters already built into it.

“This could have a significant impact on patients everywhere, especially in the developing world where patient compliance is particularly poor.”