Vaccines Global Summit

Biological systems as the basis for antigen production in a vaccine; animal- and plant-derived vaccines represent one of the novel approaches in vaccine development. Such vaccines, derived from animals or plants, have their distinct advantages with respect to the mode of production, scalability, and accessibility, making them promising tools in expanding global immunization efforts. Vaccines from traditional manufacture have, for many years, relied on animal-derived sources. One basis on which vaccine preparation is made is by using the cultures of animal cells or eggs and their virus replication. For example, the production of the influenza vaccine is obtained by growing the virus in chicken eggs, harvesting, and then inactivating it to arrive at a vaccine.

Still, other immunizations, like the rabies immunization and certain polio vaccines, also make use of cell lines from animals where viruses are grown. This method is effective but resource-intensive and time-consuming. For researchers, it was therefore a subject of necessity to explore alternative approaches. Even more excitingly, one of the development areas is the emergence of plant-derived vaccines, also known as biopharming. The vaccines are produced through the genetic modification of plants such as tobacco or potatoes, which will produce a particular protein or antigen from a pathogen.

When these plants are harvested, the proteins are extracted and purified into the vaccine. There are several potential advantages plant-derived vaccines may offer; they could be produced for much lower costs, they can be formulated on a large scale, without demand for specialized laboratory facilities; and they don't make use of cells or products derived from animals, which can be crucial for vulnerable populations or resource-limited regions. One of the most exciting plant-derived vaccine examples currently in development is the influenza vaccine, which makes use of tobacco plants for the production of needed antigens.

It is not only quicker, but it may be able to produce thousands and millions of more times the vaccine material in a matter of weeks, a factor that could be important when a pandemic or large-scale outbreak hits. Animal and plant-derived vaccines are fast becoming more of an innovation in the vaccine industry. New methods of production raise possibilities for increased accessibility and lower costs. Continued research may be significant to vaccines playing a crucial role in expanding immunization coverage and meeting growing demands for vaccines globally.