Imagine if you had to get one vaccine shot—and only one—for your entire life. No more toddler jabs or pre-teen boosters. Early experiments indicate that a new technology could combine every childhood vaccine in a single syringe.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed such a shot. The one-time injection uses microscopic time-release capsules. The shot releases the first dose immediately. Monthly or yearly boosters would release on their own at the proper time.
Kevin McHugh and his MIT team developed the new vaccine delivery system. The researchers filled tiny biodegradable polymer (plastic) cubes with small amounts of vaccine. Anne Trafton of the MIT News Office likened the cubes to “tiny coffee cups” with lids.
Doctors would inject the itty-bitty cubes into the body. The cubes would float around sealed until the polymer containers broke down. If that isn’t cool enough, scientists can program when each release happens by changing the polymer’s structure.
To test the system, researchers injected mice with variously structured polymer cubes. Each one contained a different fluorescent-colored substance. Researchers watched the mice to see when and how each cube released its glowing contents: nine days, 20 days, or 41 days. The cubes released on schedule. Additional testing showed that the timed-release injections worked as well as or better than regular injections.
Scientists still need to test on human patients. But there’s a problem they must solve: keeping the medicines active. Most medicines work correctly at room temperature (70–75 degrees). They don’t work so well at body temperature (98.6 degrees). Still, early tests look promising.
While many healthcare providers are optimistic about the possibility of limiting painful shots and making vaccine administration easier, a number of parents question the process. Who would determine which vaccines were included? Could a patient choose to opt out of one or more of the vaccines in the mix? Is there any danger of a cube “misfiring”—and releasing too soon, or too late?
Even with the questions, researchers believe the one-shot system could help children worldwide. In the United States, most children have access to health care. But the number of shots—31 by the time a child reaches age three—has children wailing and parents shuddering for years.
In developing countries, it’s often difficult and expensive to get children immunized. Global medical workers could deliver years’ worth of medicine in one quick injection. David Goldblatt, a biomedical professor, called that idea a possible “game changer.”
One and done shots? Would you do it?
