Fridge-free vaccines: a possible solution to wastage
Half of vaccines are binned - 'fridge-free' versions could change that
- Level
- B2
- Estimated time
- 30–40 minutes
- Reading
- 1 min read
The story
UK scientists have tested vaccines that do not need to be kept in a fridge. In a small clinical trial, a company changed a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine into a fridge-free powder. Sixty volunteers received the vaccine after the dry powder had been kept at room temperature for a year and then mixed with water.
The team used a sugar called trehalose, inspired by plants that survive drought, to stabilise the vaccine. The trial gave both an immune response and good safety results. Prof Saul Faust said the vaccine was "safe and well tolerated" in early studies.
The research addresses the 'cold chain' problem, where strict temperature control during storage and transport is needed. The World Health Organization estimates that half of vaccines are wasted globally for reasons including cold chain failures. The WHO is aiming for vaccines that survive 30C and 75% relative humidity, to reduce wastage. The scientists say their powder also survived tests that cycled between -20C and +40C.
A larger trial with 160 people will start soon to check wider safety and stability. The sugar method could stabilise both vaccines and some medicines, such as monoclonal antibodies. Researchers note the approach will not work for all vaccines, so more study is needed to improve access in remote areas. If successful, the fridge-free option could help clinics without reliable electricity.
Key vocabulary
- vaccine
- a medicine that protects people from a disease
- fridge-free
- able to be stored without a refrigerator
- trial
- a test of a new medicine with volunteers
- powder
- a dry substance with very small particles
- trehalose
- a sugar used to protect cells or medicines
- cold chain
- continuous temperature control during storage and transport
- wastage
- the amount of something that is wasted or thrown away
- stabilise
- to make something stay the same and not change
Comprehension check
Write your answer, reveal the model answer, then score yourself honestly.
1. What vaccine was converted into a fridge-free powder?
2. How many volunteers took part in the trial?
3. What sugar did the team use to stabilise the vaccine?
4. What problem does the research address?
5. What will start soon to check wider safety and stability?
Grammar focus
Both, either, neither (both...and...)
Use both...and... to connect two positive ideas or items. The structure treats the two items together and takes a plural verb.
- The trial gave both an immune response and good safety results.
- The sugar method could stabilise both vaccines and some medicines, such as monoclonal antibodies.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct verb form (use the verb in brackets). The time word makes the answer clear.
1. So far, both the powder and the vaccine ___ (survive).
2. Last year, both the company and the team ___ (keep) the powder.
3. Soon, both the larger trial and further studies ___ (start).
4. This week, both scientists and the team ___ (say) the method worked.
5. Already, both the sugar and the method ___ (stabilise) vaccines.
Discussion
For reflection or speaking practice — not graded.
- What challenges might health workers face when delivering vaccines in very remote places?
- How could fridge-free vaccines change vaccination programmes in your country?
- What other medicines might benefit from being stabilised as powders?
- What further tests or information would you want before using a new fridge-free vaccine?