German researchers have devised a new method of vaccine delivery that potentially eliminates the need for vaccine booster shots. The new method uses a hydrogel implant containing the desired vaccine as well as an “activating pill”. While initial animal testing has proved very hopeful, it will still be a while before the new method sees human trials. 

Anyone who has prepared for international travel, or reared a baby, knows the hassle of staying on schedule through multiple courses of vaccinations. It’d be way easier if those required boosters came in pill form, but that’s just not how vaccines work. Or it wasn’t, until researchers came up with a tiny implant that stores a vaccine dose released when you take a pill.