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Possibility of needle-free vaccine for Strep A edges closer
A needleless vaccine for Strep A is ‘a step closer to reality’ according to new research from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The possibility of a needleless vaccine for the group A streptococcus bacterium (Strep A) is ‘a step closer to reality’ according to new research from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The research, created in partnership with the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, was published in October 2026 in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, and its findings ‘show promise’ for a vaccine that could be administered by nose or mouth under the tongue.
The vaccine uses Generalised Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA), which the MHRA describes as “tiny bubbles naturally shed from bacteria, as both a carrier for the Strep A carbohydrate and an adjuvant to boost the immune response”.
Strep A infections are established at mucosal surfaces of the nose and throat. This research targets immunity at these surfaces, unlike traditional vaccine approaches which focus on immunisation by generating antibodies in the bloodstream.
Vaccine development for Strep A
There is no licensed vaccine for Strep A, a highly contagious bacterium that is estimated to cause 600 million infections worldwide. Infections from Strep A can be mild and easily treated, however it can lead to more serious infections, long-term disability and death.
The Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium (SAVAC) estimates that infection with Strep A causes around 500,000 deaths from associated complications each year globally, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries, with more serious complications like Rheumatic Heart Disease disproportionately affecting women.
The findings from this research support further development of easily administered and affordable vaccines that could improve accessibility to immunisation worldwide.
Dr Fatme Mawas, Head of Conjugate Vaccines, MHRA, said, “This research highlights the potential of GMMA technology to support a new generation of affordable, needle-free vaccines. By delivering a Strep A vaccine through the nose or under the tongue, we showed that strong immune responses were generated both at the mucosal surfaces where infection begins and throughout the body, supporting protection against invasive disease. ”
“This approach could make vaccines easier to administer and more accessible globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden of Strep A disease is greatest. By preventing infections before they occur, vaccines can also help reduce antibiotic use and support efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance.”
