Scientists invent method to transfer life-saving vaccines to impoversished areas

Scientists have developed a new way that can help store vaccines and their subsequent transfer to remote and impoverished areas of the world. The new method developed by McMaster scientists and published in the 'Scientific Reports' combines the active ingredients in existing vaccines with a sugary gel, where they remain viable for eight weeks or more, even at elevated temperatures. The invention is significant because it can replace the cumbersome "cold chain" - constant storage at temperatures between 2C and 8C - which is currently necessary to keep anti-viral vaccines viable.