A new, rapid, and promising approach to aerosol immunization: inflatable bags and valved masks.

Booster doses of MMR vaccine equal in dosage to injected doses were aerosolized into a 3/4 l bag that inflated in 4s. The bag was then attached to valved masks, and its contents rapidly inhaled in one or two deep breaths by preschool Mexican children. Antibody responses in the children exposed to the aerosolized measles component were superior to those noted after injection, while responses to the mumps and rubella components were equivalent. The new method appears to be effective, safe, and has several advantages over previously used methods. Further explorations of the approach seem merited.