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September 20, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"University Team's Flu Pill Could Kill Off Injections"

Glasgow Herald  (Scotland) (www.theherald.co.uk) (09/18/02)

Scottish scientists have created a pill that contains the flu vaccine, a development that could make injections unnecessary. While ingesting vaccines has been problematic, as the proteins they contain are destroyed in the stomach, the new microcapsule cannot be dissolved in the stomach and moves intact to the small intestine.  Physicians note that many people may avoid flu shots because they are afraid of needles.  Prof. Bill Stimson of Strathclyde University points out that "any vaccine that can be taken orally is better than an injection because so many people dislike them, and even refuse them," and he says that they should know whether the flu vaccine pill works in about six months.

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