In one embodiment, the present invention provides for an edible mini-capsule form of live, non-persisting, recombinant Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) vaccine against a pathogen such as the highly virulent influenza H5N1 strain. Enteric coated capsule of the present invention induced high levels of hemagglutinin-specific serum IgG and fecal IgA antibody production after oral administration in mice and chickens, and rendered complete protection against a lethal challenge of H5N1 virus in mice. The present invention thus demonstrates a broadly applicable platform technology for producing and administering edible vaccines against bacterial and viral infections.
