Nasal spray vaccine could help fight meningitis
27.07.10
SCIENTISTS are developing a new nasal spray that will tackle the deadly pneumococcus bacteria.
The product could help prevent deadly illnesses including pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis and benefit thousands of children.
There are more than 90 known pneumococcal types, which can lead to deadly illnesses including pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis. The bacteria also causes middle ear infection and sinusitis.
Every year across the world, up to one million under-fives die because of pneumococcus.
The new vaccine will contain a substance called D4Ply, a fragment of a protein produced by nearly all the different types of pneumococcus.
If experiments prove successful, the vaccine could therefore protect against most strains.
Experiments will focus on cells taken from the adenoids of around 30 youngsters under five to see if the vaccine is effective as a nasal spray.
Researchers believes the new vaccine could be much cheaper to produce than those already on the market, helping cut costs in the UK and making it available in developing countries.
Steve Dayman, the Chief Executive of Meningitis UK who lost his own son to meningitis, said: "We welcome any advancement in the fight against meningitis and will follow the results of this research very closely.
"The existing pneumococcal vaccine has been a success to date but, due to there being 90 different types of the bacteria, research needs to be ongoing to offer better and more comprehensive protection.
"Every day we speak to supporters who have experienced the devastation of meningitis. It remains our priority to continue striving for a comprehensive vaccine to prevent all forms of meningitis and safeguard future generations from this vicious disease."
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