These days flu vaccines are administered using needles and in some pediatric applications via a nose spray. Needles in particular can create quite a bit of anxiety and for many people even the idea of a visit with a medical professional keeps them from being vaccinated. A new flu patch developed at Georgia Tech, that can be applied at home, may be just the thing to overcome the resistance of many to getting protected by a flu vaccine. The device, which has quite a lot of technology built-in, just undergone a phase I clinical trial at Emory University, and demonstrated safety while generating an anti-body response similar to that produced via intramuscular injections.
The patch is administered by simply placing it on the skin, pressing it down with a finger, and letting it sit for a few minutes. It is then peeled off and thrown away. In part, it works because there are tiny microneedles on the underside that remain in the skin and dissolve, releasing the vaccine into the body.
The other important aspect is that the vaccine itself is stabilized to remain effective even at room temperature. Conventional vaccines typically require refrigeration, and so are hard to manage and pose challenges for delivery. The new patch that utilizes this vaccine formulation should be safe for shipping, allowing it to be ordered easily and be yet another reason to expect its widespread adoption.
Here’s a Georgia Tech video with some of the researchers that have worked to develop this important device:
Flashback: Microneedle Patch for Measles Vaccination on Horizon…
Via: Georgia Tech…