When you think of vaccines, you probably first picture the active ingredient, the antigen, that teaches your immune system to recognise and fight off dangerous pathogens. Behind the scenes, though, there is another critical player that often goes unnoticed: the adjuvant. This specialised ingredient is the “booster” that helps vaccines do their job better, faster, and longer. In the world of modern immunization, adjuvants are truly game-changing.
”In the simplest terms, adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to enhance the body’s immune response to the antigen. The word “adjuvant” comes from the Latin adjuvare, meaning “to help”. That’s exactly what they do: they help vaccines work more effectively. Without adjuvants, many vaccines would require higher doses, more frequent boosters, or might not work at all, especially when dealing with highly purified or synthetic antigens.
Adjuvant use dates back to the 1920s, when researchers found that adding aluminium salts (commonly called “alum”) to vaccines could drastically improve the effectiveness. For decades, alum was the gold standard. AAHI has built on this legacy with its advanced aluminium hydroxide formulations, optimizing the size, shape, and charge of alum particles to maximise immune stimulation. These improvements not only enhance efficacy but also improve manufacturability and stability, making vaccines more accessible in regions where cold-chain logistics are a challenge.
As the need for more complex vaccines grew, so did the demand for new adjuvant technologies. Oil-in-water emulsions, such as those developed and manufactured by AAHI, emerged as powerful tools for stimulating both antibody and T-cell responses. These emulsions are particularly valuable for diseases like influenza, where robust, broad, and rapid immunity is crucial.
AAHI’s portfolio includes scalable, stable oil-in-water emulsion adjuvants that have been tested in numerous clinical trials, supporting global efforts to combat both emerging and neglected diseases.
The next wave of innovation came from nature and nanotechnology. AAHI’s expertise in liposomal and aqueous nanosuspension technologies allows for the development of vaccines that are both potent and safe, with formulations optimized for stability and scalability.
The innovations in adjuvant use in vaccines have made it possible to design vaccines that are safer, more potent, and tailored to the needs of different populations.
Adjuvants might not get the headlines, but they are the powerhouse behind many of the world’s most effective vaccines. As we face new and emerging health threats, these unsung heroes will continue to play a vital role in keeping communities safe and healthy. Next time you roll up your sleeve for a vaccine, remember it’s not just the antigen that’s working to protect you, it’s the adjuvant too.
