Non-invasive vaccination through the skin

The present invention relates to novel vaccines for the non-invasive, transcutaneous administration of antigens associated with ultradeformable carriers, for the purpose of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination. The vaccines comprise (a) a transdermal carrier which is a penetrant, (b) a compound which specifically releases or specifically induces cytokine or anticytokine activity or exerts such an activity itself, (c) an antigen, an allergen, a mixture of antigens andlor a mixture of allergens, and (d) a chemical irritant. The invention further relates to methods for the vaccination of mammals for obtaining a protective or therapeutic immune response.