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Grazax vaccine; Pollinex vaccine range; cetirizine; Piriton; Pireteze; Zirtek; Benadryl
A new vaccine could revolutionise the way hayfever sufferers are treated in the UK, reports Helen Boreham
The sneezing, sniffling and streaming eyes signalled by the start of yet another hayfever season may soon be a thing of the past for some sufferers, thanks to a revolutionary new pollen vaccine now available on prescription in the UK. This important new option for the 50 per cent of hayfever sufferers afflicted by grass-induced symptoms contains an allergen extract from the grass pollen Timothy (Phleum pratense) which works to induce a protective immune response that reduces, and potentially halts, the allergic reaction. What makes Grazax unique is its fast-dissolving oral tablet formulation, which means hayfever sufferers can be effectively 'vaccinated' against the culprit pollen simply by dissolving a tablet under the tongue daily in the months leading up to the hayfever season. In clinical trials, Grazax reduced hayfever symptoms by around a third, cut the need for symptom-relieving medication by 38 per cent and improved sufferers' quality of life.
Vaccine science
As the front-line of hayfever care, pharmacists are fully familiar with the current repertoire of hayfever products available over the counter - which includes antihistamines and steroids in the form of tablets, sprays and eye drops - and understand their mechanism of effect. However, unlike these traditional treatments for hayfever, which simply alleviate symptoms, Grazax marks a new approach to allergy treatment known as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is recognised by the World Health Organization as the only treatment to tackle allergies such as hayfever at their underlying cause.
Vaccination is a familiar concept where combating viruses and bacteria are concerned, but less so when it comes to allergy. While vaccination against infectious disease is concerned with stimulating antibodies against a particular pathogen to confer protection in subsequent encounters, allergy immunotherapy is focused on 'correcting' the excessive immune responses to pollen which occur in hayfever sufferers. This is achieved by restoring the balance of activity of two key white blood cells involved in the immune system - Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. Over-activity of the Th2 type is thought to cause the symptoms of allergy, hence immunotherapy intervenes to counter-stimulate the Th1 cells and/or dampen down the...