The present invention includes compositions, methods of making and using the compositions for modulating the immune response in a subject by providing a vaccine composition having a pollen or spore disposed in a pharmaceutical carrier for delivery to a subject, wherein the pollen or spore comprises multiple pores that connect an outer surface of the pollen/spore to an inner cavity and one or more antigens disposed on the outer surface, in the inner cavity, in the multiple pores, or a combination thereof, wherein the one or more antigens modulate an immune responses in the subject.