By Dr. Tim Sandle
June 26, 2025
Digital Journal
China becomes the 40th territory certified malaria-free by the WHO - Copyright AFP Olympia DE MAISMONT
Inadequate booster uptake threatens the success of immunisation campaigns as seen with the recently rolled-out R21 malaria vaccine. With a new solution, Oxford University researchers have developed programmable microcapsules to deliver vaccines in stages, potentially eliminating the need for booster shots and increasing immunisation coverage in hard-to-reach communities.
Malaria remains one of the greatest global health threats. There are an estimated 247 million infections and over 600,000 deaths, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Innovative research approaches are therefore urgently needed to achieve long-term progress in prevention and treatment.
Native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, female Anopheles mosquitoes pass parasites to humans through saliva shared when they bite. Parasites attack and reproduce within the liver and red blood cells causing a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. If left untreated, malaria can lead to brain damage, organ failure and even death, especially among children and other vulnerable populations.
The innovative vaccine delivery system can provide full course of immunisation – both initial and booster doses – to be delivered in just one injection. In preclinical trials, the technology provided strong protection against malaria, matching the efficacy of traditional multi-dose vaccination regimens.
Luca Bau, Senior Researcher from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, says in a research note: “Reducing the number of clinic visits needed for full vaccination could make a major difference in communities where healthcare access is limited. Our goal is to help remove the barriers that stand in the way of people benefiting from life-saving medical innovations.”
The findings offer hope for a simpler, more effective approach to immunisation, particularly in regions where access to follow-up healthcare is limited.
A new weapon in the fight against preventable diseases
The research addresses a major challenge in global health: ensuring people return for all required vaccine doses. Missed boosters are one of the biggest barriers to achieving full immunisation, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable infectious diseases.
To tackle this, the Oxford team developed tiny biodegradable capsules that can be co-injected with the first vaccine dose and programmed to release the booster dose weeks or months later. In a mouse model, this “single shot” strategy using the R21 malaria vaccine protected against the disease nearly as effectively as the standard two-dose schedule.
Simple, scalable, and injectable
The microcapsules are made using a patented chip-based microfluidics system that is compatible with existing pharmaceutical production methods. This means the technology can be scaled up rapidly for clinical use and eventual deployment in the field.
The microcapsules are precisely engineered to act as a tiny, timed-release vault, allowing us to dictate exactly when the booster dose is released. We believe this could be a gamechanger not just for malaria but for many other vaccines requiring multiple doses or other complex therapeutic regimens.
The capsules are made from an approved biodegradable polymer (PLGA) and filled with the R21 malaria vaccine. Once injected, the priming dose works immediately, while the capsules burst within the body to release the booster after a set delay. Researchers were able to fine-tune this delay from two weeks to several months.
Next step
The researchers are working to adapt the manufacturing process in preparation for early-stage human trials, attracting interest from pharmaceutical partners and global health organisations.
The research paper ‘Core-shell microcapsules compatible with routine injection enable prime-boost immunization against malaria with a single shot’is published in Science Translational Medicine.
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