Needle-free vaccine trial calls for participants

Needle-free vaccines for avian influenza are set to be trialled, using technology developed by Australian biotech company Vaxxas.

Doherty Clinical Trials is calling for healthy volunteers to participate in a phase one trial of the vaccines to assess the safety and tolerability of the vaccines.

The needle-free vaccines deliver the vaccine to the immune cells immediately below the skin surface instead of into a muscle like traditional vaccines.

Previous trials of the technology have had promising results in administering vaccines including seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and measles and rubella.

Another benefit of the technology is the potential to no longer require refrigeration, meaning vaccines could theoretically be distributed for self-administration.

This could be of benefit in the event of a future pandemic, those involved in the trial said.

“Global pandemic threats require the world’s health organisations to have better and more accessible vaccine delivery options,” Vaxxas CEO David Hoey said.

“With potential benefits such as thermostability, ease of use, and patient acceptability, Vaxxas’ HD-MAP is designed to be rapidly and broadly deployed to accelerate vaccination uptake and rates.”

More than 250 participants wanted

The trial will enrol 258 participants aged between 18 and 50 across multiple sites and will be Vaxxas’ largest Phase I trial to date with its HD-MAP technology.

Participants must be in good health and available to visit Doherty Clinical Trials’ facility in East Melbourne for nine scheduled visits over 13 months.

At these visits, participants will undergo a thorough medical examination by doctors, including a physical examination, measuring vital signs and conducting blood tests.

Participants will be reimbursed for their time and expenses over the course of the study.

“We are excited to be collaborating with an Australian biotech company developing a novel vaccination product that could play a significant role in the way we respond to future pandemics,” Doherty Clinical Trials CEO Dr Andrew Brockway said.

“If you are interested in being a part of supporting advances in vaccination technology, we’d love to hear from you.”

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has multiple strains representing a potentially serious threat to humans and vaccination is the most effective safeguard.

Most sufferers have mild symptoms similar to seasonal influenza or are asymptomatic, but occasionally symptoms can be severe.

Since early 2013, more than 1500 people have been infected by avian influenza A worldwide, according to WHO.

Other clinical sites involved in the study include three University of Sunshine Coast Trial centres in Brisbane, Morayfield and the Sunshine Coast.

Doherty Clinical Trials is a not-for-profit registered charity and subsidiary of the University of Melbourne.

People interested in participating in the trial are encouraged to register their interest through Doherty Clinical Trial’s website, email info@dohertyclinicaltrials.com or call 1300 620 399.