SCIENCE

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

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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 collections of vaccines being incorporated into a single jab, including boosters that are released after a specific time period.

The researchers developed the “cups” from PLGA, a biocompatible plastic-like polymer already approved for use in medical devices such as implants and prosthetic devices.

The researchers are now testing the delivery particles with a variety of drugs including existing vaccines.