title: Needle-free influenza vaccination.
abstract: Vaccination is the cornerstone of influenza control in epidemic and pandemic situations. Influenza vaccines are typically given by intramuscular injection. However, needle-free vaccinations could offer several distinct advantages over intramuscular injections: they are pain-free, easier to distribute, and easier to give to patients, and their use could reduce vaccination costs. Moreover, vaccine delivery via the respiratory tract, alimentary tract, or skin might elicit mucosal immune responses at the site of virus entry and better cellular immunity, thus improving effectiveness. Although various needle-free vaccination methods for influenza have shown preclinical promise, few have progressed to clinical trials-only live attenuated intranasal vaccines have received approval, and only in some countries. Further clinical investigation is needed to help realise the potential of needle-free vaccination for influenza.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Gröningen, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Amorij
authors.forename: Wouter Lj
authors.initials: WLj
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
authors.forename: Henderik W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Frijlink
authors.forename: Jan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wilschut
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huckriede
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines