Scientists at Jichi Medical University in Tokyo said that one day the transgenic mosquitoes will act as vaccine deliverers to inoculate millions for free.

In a study the researchers genetically modified a mosquito species and made the mosquito’s saliva contain a protein that functions as a vaccine against leishmaniasis, a fatal disease that triggers terrible skin sores.

The study also showed that mice bitten by the transgenic mosquito could build up immunity against the disease.

“You would be vaccinated without even noticing,” said Shigeto Yoshida, the associate professor who has led the research, “you wouldn’t need any drug and you wouldn’t need to show up at a designated place for mass vaccinations.”

Repeat bites would strengthen the immunity, Yoshida added.

According to the researchers, the study could similarly be used to help combat malaria, perhaps in a decade.

But there remain some problems for this study, for example, no effective vaccine against malaria exists because malaria’s antigen changes frequently, and the vaccinator mosquito may still pick up and spread malaria. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/health/2010-03/25/c_13224634.htm

A nurse prepares doses of H1N1 vaccine at the Balboa Park Community Center in Encino, California October 23, 2009. Los Angeles County officials opened the first public health clinic there for patients in the high priority group with special health needs. Picture taken October 23, 2009. ©Reuters

BEIJING, Nov. 26 — There’s no evidence that the A/H1N1 flu vaccine can cause any serious side effects, said U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a report released on Wednesday.

The report was CDC’s first report on the safety of the vaccine.

The report said the U.S. government has been tracking the safety of the A/H1N1 flu

vaccine since October, and about 22 million Americans have been inoculated with the vaccine by mid-November.

Among the inoculators there were about 3,200 reports of possible side effects, the vast majority for minor things like soreness or swelling from the shot. No serious problem has been found.

The A/H1N1 flu vaccine is basically the same as the regular winter flu vaccine, said the report.

“The vaccine data so far really suggests this is a safe vaccine,” Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC said at a press conference Wednesday.

The A/H1N1 influenza has sickened an estimated 22 million Americans, hospitalized about 98,000 and killed 4,000 since it was first identified in April. 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-11/26/content_12541662.htm