Vaccination compositions, methods of making, and methods of use
This disclosure describes, generally, compositions and methods related to thermostable vaccine formulations, their storage, and their use. Generally, the thermostable vaccine formulations can be in the form of a dry powder. The dry powder formulations can increase the length of time that the vaccine remains viable under non-refrigerated, ambient temperature conditions.
1. A method comprising:
mixing a bacterium that expresses at least one antigen in a suspension that comprises at least one amino acid and at least one saccharide;
spray drying the mixture to form a dry powder; and
storing the dry powder without refrigeration for at least two months in the presence of:
an O 2 scavenger,
a desiccant, or
an inert gas.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the bacterium comprises an attenuated Listeria monocytogenes genetically modified to express at least one heterologous antigen.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the heterologous polypeptide comprises a Francisella tularensis antigen.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the Francisella tularensis antigen comprises Ig1C.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is stored without refrigeration for at least 15 months.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is stored in the presence of an O 2 scavenger or a desiccant.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is stored in the presence of an O 2 scavenger and a desiccant.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is stored in the presence of an inert gas.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising administering the dry powder to a subject.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the bacterium is attenuated.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the bacterium genetically modified to express at least one heterologous antigen.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the dry powder is stored in the presence of an O 2 scavenger, a desiccant, and an inert gas.