The saying "one for all, and all for one" has taken a whole new level of meaning, with this technology. Engineers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology have invented the possibility of delivering multiple drugs and vaccines needed in one injection through a drug-carrying particle in a new 3-D fabrication method.

Think of this technique as that of a container, filled with microscopic capsules of vaccines, with a clock attached responsible for releasing the contents and boosters in intervals of time set beforehand. This container is covered with a lid, made from the polymer so that the drugs and vaccines don't dry out, with a system to briefly heat it to prevent leakage of the content.

This vaccination has been yet tested on mice, where the work was studied for 16 weeks. The mice were injected in the interval of 9 days, then 20, and finally 41 days showing no signs of any negative or side effects, hence making it a success. The new technology remains to be tested on humans, but that day is not far off, according to MIT Professor Robert Langer.

He seems to be confident for success rate on humans too and said, “We are very excited about this work because, for the first time, we can create a library of tiny, encased vaccine particles, each programmed to release at a precise, predictable time, so that people could potentially receive a single injection that, in effect, would have multiple boosters already built into it. This could have a significant impact on patients everywhere, especially in the developing world where patient compliance is particularly poor.”

On the other hand, David Goldblatt, professor of vaccinology and immunology at University College London, has a different approach towards the experiment, he thinks of it as a sophisticated one. Even though he agrees it could be a game changer for helping children in developing countries to receive the adequate vaccination, but still is skeptical about the adjustment of the timing of vaccine release after injection. It is because immunization should be avoided when a person might have an active viral infection and it can be harmful if the vaccine is released that time automatically.

I sincerely hope that this study does see the light of day and is successful as it will be a breakthrough for the kids, who, yet to be exposed to the sour taste of lemon, have to go through the horror of facing a number of needles poking through their skin, and for the parents who have to watch in pain and anguish their kids go through this discomfort. Apart from kids, it will also benefit people diagnosed with diseases like allergies, diabetes and even cancer. Fingers crossed!