Liquid applicator for delivering vaccines

A method of vaccinating an animal in need thereof comprising the steps of:

• providing an applicator adapted to deliver a liquid composition to the animal per os, the applicator comprising a compressible reservoir defining a first longitudinal axis an elongate, hollow stem adapted to be inserted into the animal's mouth, the stem comprising proximal and distal ends, the stem defining a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being at an acute angle relative to the first longitudinal axis, the proximal end operably connected to and in fluid communication with the compressible reservoir and the distal end adaptable to allow liquid to exit and enter the applicator;
• and wherein the applicator is adapted to sealably contain a carrier liquid of the liquid composition to be dispensed to the animal, wherein the distal end comprises a frangible seal;
• breaking the frangible seal to allow the carrier liquid to be dispensed from the applicator;
• inserting the distal end into a vial containing lyophilized immunogen;
• dispensing the carrier liquid into the vial by squeezing the compressible reservoir;
• sufficiently blending the carrier liquid and the lyophilized immunogen to produce a blended vaccine formulation;
• removing the distal end;
• compressing the compressible reservoir;
• ensuring that the distal end of the stem is open to the external environment;
• inserting the open distal end into the vial such that the distal end is in fluid communication with the blended vaccine formulation;
• releasing compression of the compressible reservoir to create a vacuum, thereby drawing up the blended vaccine formulation through the stem;
• inserting the distal end into the mouth of the animal to be vaccinated;
• and
• compressing the compressible reservoir to administer the blended vaccine formulation inside the mouth of the animal.