Sick Of UTI? This pineapple flavoured vaccine spray may be the right one for you.

UTI’s Can Be Difficult to Treat

Approximately 60% of women will experience an acute bladder infection in their lifetime. Of these, 20-40% are likely to experience additional infections. 25% to 50% of these women will experience recurring UTI’s (two infections in six months or three or more infections per year), costing billions of dollars annually across the world. Recurring UTI’s can take a devastating toll on women seeking treatment for infections that are often antibiotic-resistant.

Patients with recurrent UTIs often rely on repeated and prolonged courses of antibiotics. However, with the alarming rise of antibiotic resistance, described as one of the biggest risks to global health in our lifetime, to combat antibiotic resistance, there is a pressing need to find viable alternatives.

Recently the use of vaccine / immunostimulation in patients with recurrent infections has become more popular.  Various types of UTI vaccines are currently being developed for treating recurrent UTIs including ones that can be swallowed, injected, applied to the vagina and sprayed under the tongue (sub-lingual). All work by boosting the body’s natural immune system to fight off a UTI before it can take hold.

What is Uromune vaccine?

A vaccine aimed to reduce risk of recurrent UTI. It works stimulating the immune system, there by increasing its resistance against urinary tract infections. These vaccines work by training the immune system to fight off infections, which might mean needing fewer antibiotics. However, it’s important to know that in Australia, this vaccine is not currently approved for routine use.

What is it made of?

The sub-lingual UTI vaccine is composed of the inactivated whole bacteria of the four most common bugs that cause UTIs in women (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris and Enterococcus Faecalis).

How is it to be used?

This pineapple flavoured spray is administered by spraying over the sublingual area.[under the tongue]. This treatment lasts for 3 months. It is intended to be administered by the patient at home. Spray twice. Keep the dose under the tongue for approximately 1-2 minutes, and then swallow it.

Does it work?

Published studies show that there is 80% success for around 18 months. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can be prevented for up to nine years in more than half of people given an oral spray-based vaccine and is a potential alternative to antibiotic treatments.

By reducing UTI episodes, by taking the vaccine also means fewer antibiotics and  the side effects that can come with them. This new treatment brings significant hope,  offering a solution to the pain and disruption to the day to day life that many women  currently experience.

What next?

Uromune vaccine has not been approved in most countries including Australia, the UK and the US. However, we have access for a specific patient or multiple patients through Special Access Scheme. To benefit from this, the patients need to see the specialist and fulfil the criteria and sign a TGA Special Access Scheme consent form before.

Please note that this is not on PBS, hence the cost will be approximately $500 including shipping etc., Finally, why pineapple flavour? This is because many like this taste.

If you require any further information, please contact Rockingham Women’s Health Centre on 0895918943 to book an appointment or www.rockinghamwomenshealth.com.au