Aerosol Vaccination

Creare is developing novel aerosol devices for the delivery of vaccines via the respiratory tract. The work includes high-workload nebulizers for mass vaccination campaigns in developing countries as well as devices for individual or routine office use. Our nebulizer technology has been licensed by a new aerosol therapeutics firm, AerovectRx Corporation. This work has been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Creare’s technology centers on the use of a disposable aerosolizing element (DAE), a unique cartridge that contains all of the wetted components of the aerosol generator in a low-cost disposable cartridge.

For mass campaigns, Creare developed a prototype high-workload nebulizer that features long battery life, efficient vaccine usage, and low-cost disposable patient interfaces. Mass vaccination programs are common in developing nations, but needle-free methods are needed to prevent the spread of blood-borne disease. With low-cost disposables and the ability to vaccinate hundreds of individuals in remote areas without electricity, our design is well suited to mass campaign use.

Creare has also developed prototype nebulizers for vaccination in doctor’s offices, routine administration of high-value pharmaceuticals, and other individual uses. These devices again rely on our DAE technology to provide efficient aerosol delivery while eliminating the need to clean the device. Some versions of the DAE (now in development) can also be supplied prefilled with vaccines or drugs.

Creare recently initiated development of an intranasal aerosol device for administration of influenza vaccine. The use of live attenuated influenza vaccines delivered by aerosol offers many advantages in responding to routine influenza seasons and can play a crucial role in the control of pandemic influenza.

To further spur the use of needle-free delivery methods, Creare has also engineered innovations in vaccine storage and reconstitution. Live virus vaccines often must be shipped and stored in freeze-dried doses, requiring reconstitution immediately prior to use. While reconstitution typically requires a needle and syringe, Creare’s innovative single-vial system is completely self-contained, requiring no tools or accessories for reconstitution at time of use.