Pollen Vaccine

Hay fever sufferers rejoice! Trials are currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness of a vaccine against grass pollen. If successful, relief could be available in as little as four years.

Hay fever symptoms are caused when antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE) over-react to pollen. In the past, this oversensitivity has been treated by injecting small doses of the allergen over a period of several years, allowing the body to build up a natural immunity.

The new vaccine would offer faster relief, and would likely involve a series of four injections over the course of a few months.

The shot combines portions of a pollen molecule with a protein from hepatitis B. When the IgE antibodies are activated, the protein activates additional antibodies to block them, preventing an allergic response.