Needle-free Strep A vaccine triggers local and bodywide immune responses in mice

A needle-free Strep A vaccine has shown promise in generating both local and bodywide immune responses in mice, according to research published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. Conducted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in partnership with the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, the study highlights the potential of a new vaccine delivery technology called GMMA (generalized modules for membrane antigens).

The vaccine uses GMMA vesicles to carry the Strep A carbohydrate antigen and act as an adjuvant to boost the immune response. Unlike traditional vaccines that primarily focus on generating antibodies in the bloodstream, this approach targets immunity at mucosal surfaces where Strep A infections begin, such as the nose and throat.

With over 600 million Strep A infections occurring annually and leading to more than 500,000 deaths, the development of a needle-free vaccine could make immunization easier to administer, more accessible globally, and help reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. The preclinical study, conducted in mice, forms part of the MHRA's broader research into vaccine science, immunology, assay development, and novel vaccine delivery technologies.

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