Oxford's Single-Shot Malaria Vaccine Shows 85% Protection Rate

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Malaria kills 600,000 people yearly, mostly children under five in Africa, but current vaccines require multiple clinic visits - making them useless for many families.

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The secret? Tiny biodegradable capsules smaller than a human hair that release the booster dose weeks later - while still inside your body.

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"The microcapsules act as a tiny, timed-release vault," explains inventor Dr. Guyon, allowing precise control over when the second dose is delivered.

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Current malaria vaccines need 2-3 doses and offer 39-77% protection - Oxford's single-shot system achieved 85% protection in mouse trials.

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The capsules stay stable for 4-7 weeks in regular refrigeration - solving the "cold chain" problem that plagues vaccine delivery in remote areas without reliable electricity.

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In 2022 alone, 20.5 million children missed routine vaccinations worldwide - this technology could help reach them with life-saving protection.

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Beyond malaria, this technology could transform vaccination for tuberculosis, HPV, and other diseases requiring multiple doses.

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Human trials are next - could we be witnessing the beginning of a new era in global vaccination?

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The study is published in Science Translational Medicine - and pharmaceutical companies are already showing interest in this potential game-changer.

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