Vaccines: The Health of Nations (VAXeNATION)

Abstract

Oral administration of plant-produced antigens were reported to be immuno-stimulatory in humans, potentially capable of conferring immunity from viral infection (specific for the viral antigen bioengineered for expression in plant). Use of antigen-containing plant products for oral (or sublingual) administration does not require purification. The plant “paste” may be sufficient (?) for immunizing humans (and animals). Scientific evidence supports advocacy for oral administration of “raw” plant-based products (sublingual) without purification. Implementing this proposal may accelerate the pace of global vaccination and preventive healthcare for less affluent communities by [0] eliminating the need for purification,[1] eliminating the need for “cold” supply chain logistics, [2] eliminating the dependency on medical professionals for vaccination and [3] eliminating supply chain fulfillment dependencies by growing the antigen-producing “potted plants” in community gardens or at home, as a vaccine cottage industry. Communities may also brew the cottage industry for transgenic plants producing antigens as an entrepreneurial innovation endeavor and/or a social business for vaccines. The latter, built on pillars of ethical profitability, is expected to prioritize science as a service to society (SASSY) to improve access to global public goods with respect to health and healthcare. The economics of vaccination technology during the CoVID-19 pandemic (still in progress?) may be one of the gravest discontents of the 21st century from the perspective of people, healthcare access and ethical globalization. The public health alarm is not restricted to affluent OECD nations and affluence cannot mitigate the risks of future epidemics and pandemics. Vaccination and immunization, when possible, must be globally accessible and available to mitigate the threat from [1] worldwide transmission, [2] increasing virulence due to antigenic drift and [3] economic devastation which follows, naturally.