Valois vaccinates without needles
Valois, of France, a member of the Aptar Group, has launched the Dolphin Unitdose to enable flu vaccinations to be given by the nasal and pulmonary routes.
Compared with injection, the Dolphin Unitdose is said to offer a number of advantages: no risk of injury; precise optimum dosage; pain-free administration; ease of use; can be used in any position.
In addition to flu vaccine, the nasal spray will be used for other vaccines, enabling prevention of ear, nose and throat conditions such as bronchiolitis and ear infections. The company also foresees its use in biodefence programmes to combat smallpox, anthrax, ricin, etc.
The global vaccination market is growing at an annual rate of 10.5% with 94 million doses expected to be administered in the US alone in 2003.
