Oxford University launches a study into inhaled TB vaccine

A research institute is conducting a study into the possible benefits of an inhaled tuberculosis (TB) vaccine.

The Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford will use an existing vaccine, BCG, and examine whether delivering it through an aerosol route would give people better protection.

The vaccine would be delivered by the natural route of TB infection - through inhalation of droplets into the lungs.

This study aims to recruit volunteers who have previously been vaccinated.

BCG, or Bacille Calmette-Guérin, is the only current licensed vaccine against TB and was developed in 1921.

But Aye Thu, the lead study clinician, said the disease still remained the leading cause of death from a single-infective agent across the world.

"It's still very relevant and it's still very, very important that we find better ways of protecting the world population against TB," she said.

"We are going to be looking at comparing a group of volunteers who will be given an intradermal injection versus an inhalational one, which is the new route and we're hoping will give better protection."

This method is hoped to be better at stimulating the immune system.

Ms Thu said they were looking for people between the ages of 18 and 65 in good health "to come through and participate in this exciting study".

"It's been shown through the studies that we've done that it is safe and that there's no significant side effects for the volunteers," she said.

Information on how to take part is available on the University of Oxford website.

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