An apparatus for vaccine generation includes a syringe with a cavity that includes a solution with photosensitizers. Microbial particles are added to the solution. A light source is capable of emitting one or more wavebands of light that are effectively absorbed by the one photosensitizers to generate singlet oxygen in the solution and other radical species that rapidly react with and damage lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA of the microbial particles. This damage produces immunogens that can be applied as a vaccine to viruses and other infectious microbial particles. A plunger that fits within a proximal opening in the syringe is used for forcing the solution including the immunogens through the filter and out of the syringe while the photosensitizers, debris and unwanted microbial particles are trapped within the filter.