Work to launch 'fridge-free' vaccine under way

A vaccine that does not need to be kept in a fridge or frozen has entered its first clinical trial.

The Stablepharma tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (SPVX02) is completely stable at room temperature and is ready to be trialled through a government-backed programme.

The first in-human trial is being held at the National Institute for Health and Care Research's (NIHR) base at University Hospital Southampton this month.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about half of all vaccines are wasted around the world, in part because of the "cold chain" needed for them.

Stablepharma, a UK-based company, has shown it can convert existing approved vaccines to fridge-free versions that can be stored at room temperate.

"It is fantastic to see cutting-edge UK science reach the milestone of a first clinical trial and to be able to give the opportunity for people living on the South Coast to take part," Prof Saul Faust, director of the NIHR's Southampton Clinical Research Facility, said.

"This research will be an important step toward exploring whether this innovation could eradicate vaccine wastage and move away from the need for the cold chain."

Wes Streeting, the health and social care secretary, said the plan could be a "real game changer and lifesaver globally".

Stablepharma hopes the vaccine will be in use globally by 2027.

Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, the former deputy chief medical officer for England and a member of Stablepharma's advisory board, said the vaccine could be "revolutionary for the entire vaccine industry".

"Fridge-free vaccines could, in the future, play a major role in delivering the WHO's ambitions for universal health coverage," he added.

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