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April 09, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Researchers Trying to Extend Life of Vaccines"

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (04/07/03); Manning, Carl

Although vaccines are plentiful and relatively inexpensive for diseases such as measles, 770,000 measles deaths occur each year, according to World Health Organization estimates, partly because some vaccines must be stored in a small temperature range or their effectiveness is lost.  The University of Kansas is trying to develop vaccines that can last for two months to three months without the cold-chain system.  The most difficult part of the research is identifying the pathways that cause a particular vaccine to lose potency, said researcher Russ Middaugh.  After the identification, stabilizer chemicals can be developed and the vaccines will be usable in developing countries where temperature control systems are lacking.

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