In what researchers described as “1,000 small flying syringes,” the National Institutes of Health has successfully inoculated a human volunteer with a malaria vaccine through the bites of infected, genetically modified mosquitoes.

Achieved over a course of 30-day intervals, the vaccinations produced enough antibodies in the volunteers to last a few months. While half the subjects didn’t develop detectable levels of protection, scientists said they were encouraged enough to continue development of the technique.

According to Principia Scientific International, “Researchers say the genetically modified mosquitos will not be used at large to vaccinate millions of people. The reason why mosquitos were used instead of syringes, they claim, was to save costs.”

SOURCE:

Principia Scientific International July 31, 2023