'Not only might they reduce the risk of infection from HIV, hepatitis, and other serious diseases due to unsterilised needles, they may prove more effective against disease.'

Many serious infections, such as the measles virus, can enter the body through inhalation.

'Measles vaccine dry powders have the potential to effectively vaccinate infants, children and adults by inhalation, avoiding the problems associated with liquid vaccines delivered by injection,' he added.

Although made for developing countries, the technology eventually could become the basis for a new generation of inhalable -- and pain free vaccines -- in the US and elsewhere. So far, an inhalable vaccine is available for only one disease. It is a wet mist vaccine for influenza.

These findings were presented at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).