Scientists at Oxford University have developed a simple way to make vaccines stable at tropical temperatures, removing the need for them to be kept in a refrigerated environment.

A proof-of-concept study confirmed that two virus-based vaccines could be stored on sugar-stabilised membranes for four months at 45 degrees Celsius without being degraded.

If stored at 37 degrees Celsius, the vaccines could be kept for over a year with only small levels of degradation.

The new technique, which was developed in collaboration with Nova Bio-Pharma Technologies, could facilitate efforts to vaccinate people in the developing world against infectious diseases.

Lead author Dr Matt Cottingham, from Oxford University’s Jenner Institute, explained that the distribution of vaccines currently requires a clinic, fridge, electricity supply and refrigeration lorries.

‘If you could ship vaccines at normal temperatures, you would greatly reduce cost and hugely improve access to vaccines,’ he pointed out.

‘You could even picture someone with a backpack taking vaccine doses on a bike into remote villages.’

The technique, which is detailed in the journal Science Translational Medicine, was described as ‘one of the most exciting developments in the British pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries’ by Dr Peter White, managing director of Nova.

He insisted that the impact it could have overseas ‘cannot be overstated’.

News Resource: netdoctor.co.uk