A new way to vaccinate through the mouth
Official title: Floss: a novel method for oral mucosal vaccination
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11144916 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to give vaccines through the mouth for kids under 11, making it easier and less painful than shots, while aiming to help their bodies fight off infections like HIV and the flu.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $568,634 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033759-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11144916 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are at risk for infections like HIV and influenza.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those who do not have a risk of exposure to the targeted infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a novel method for delivering vaccines through the oral mucosa, specifically targeting children under 11 years old. By using the mouth as a vaccination route, the researchers hope to stimulate a strong immune response that can protect against infections like HIV and influenza. This method could be less painful and more acceptable for children compared to traditional injections. The study will explore how effectively vaccines can penetrate the buccal and sublingual mucosa to generate immunity not just locally, but also in other parts of the body.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and less painful vaccination method for children, enhancing their protection against serious infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using oral mucosal routes for vaccination, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gill, Harvinder Singh — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Gill, Harvinder Singh
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.