Researchers in Queensland are trialling a new alternative to the delivery of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine by injecting the inoculation into the top layer of the skin to increase affordability and take-up numbers in Australia. “This potential approach could lower the cost of JE vaccination and protect four times as many people per vaccine vial,” Dr Luis Furuya-Kanamori from The University of Queensland (UQ) said. Though the research is currently in its preliminary phase, Furuya-Kanamori said the initial results of an effective vaccine despite reduced dosage are encouraging. “Participants were given a micro-dose of an existing vaccine into the top layer of the skin rather than in the deeper layers,” he said. “After eight weeks, the first 11 participants had all produced good antibody levels without severe adverse events.” Japanese encephalitis is a potentially deadly arbovirus transmitted by mosquitos that cause high levels of human disease. Studies have shown …