Dry powder nasal vaccines as an alternative to needle-based delivery.

Drug delivery to the nasal cavity has been achieved using a variety of systems. Dry powder vaccines offer the advantages of chemical and physical stability in comparison to liquid formulations. An intranasal vaccine can elicit both a local and systemic immune response. Mucoadhesive compounds can extend the residence time for powder formulations on the nasal mucosa, potentially increasing the immune response. Manufacture and characterization of a formulation containing particles of a dry powder vaccine are discussed.