ABSTRACT
Introduction
High patient compliance, noninvasiveness, and self-administration are the leading features of vaccine delivery through the oral route. The implementation of swift mass vaccination campaigns in pandemic outbreaks fascinates the use of oral vaccination. This approach can elicit both mucosal and systemic immune responses to protect against infection at the surface of the mucosa.
Area covered
As pathogen entry and spread mainly occurs through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) mucosal surfaces, oral vaccination may protect and limit disease spread. Oral vaccines target various potential mucosal inductive sites in the GIT, such as the oral cavity, gastric area, and small intestine. Orally delivered vaccines having subunit and nucleic acid pass through various GIT-associated risks, such as the biodegradation of biologics and their reduced absorption. This article presents a summarized review of the existing technologies and prospects for oral vaccination.
Expert opinion
The intestinal mucosa focuses on current approaches, while future strategies target new mucosal sites, i.e. oral cavity and stomach. Recent developments in biologic delivery through the oral route and their potential use in future oral vaccination are mainly considered.
Declaration of interest
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.