New vaccines just the shot for Australian marsupials

Friday 25 August

Researchers from the University of Newcastle are developing a new oral vaccine to target the immune systems of kangaroos to prevent pregnancy.

The team from the Marsupial Research Laboratory said while injections of vaccines work, it is an inefficient way to vaccinate mobs of kangaroos.

Professor John Rodger said the team was already working with the ACT Government to develop an oral delivery vaccine for female Eastern Grey Kangaroos to control their population growth in Canberra.

"We will be testing the viability of delivering the vaccine through food sources," said Professor Rodger.