Development of a delayed release osmotically triggered polymeric vaccine delivery device

Vaccinations have made a major impact on human health at a global level. Vaccines offer prophylactic protection from at least 31 human diseases, eradicating or suppressing many common killer illnesses of the pre-vaccine era, such as smallpox and polio. Current delivery methods of vaccines are inefficient in terms of cost and use of healthcare professional’s time. We propose to develop a biodegradable polymeric vaccine delivery implant capable of replacing a booster injection bolus dose by release of payload at a desired time after implantation. The system will use a novel osmosis-dependant release mechanism where the capsule will burst to release the vaccine.