Bacteria Boost Vaccine Effectiveness

Researchers are looking to microbes to improve immune responses to a wide range of vaccines. One way to boost the effectiveness of a vaccine is to include adjuvants- extra ingredients that prompt the immune system to take notice and elicit protection. The most commonly used adjuvants, first approved for human use almost 80 years ago, are aluminum-based salts (alum salts), usually aluminum hydroxide or aluminum phosphate. But alum salts only effectively rouse certain types of immune cells. T cells that recognize and kill infect cells—important in clearing infections—are not well stimulated by alum.


http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/34313/title/Bacteria-Boost-Vaccine-Effectiveness/