A new vaccine-delivery patch based on hundreds of microscopic
needles that dissolve into the skin could allow persons without
medical training to painlessly administer vaccines – while
providing improved immunization against diseases such as
influenza. Patches containing micron-scale needles that carry
vaccine with them as they dissolve into the skin could simplify
immunization programs by eliminating the use of hypodermic
needles – and their “sharps” disposal and re-use concerns.
Applied easily to the skin, the microneedle patches could allow
self-administration of vaccine during pandemics and simplify
large-scale immunization programs in developing nations. Details
of the dissolving microneedle patches and immunization benefits
observed in experimental mice were reported July 18th in the
advance online publication of the journal Nature Medicine.
Conducted by researchers from Emory University and the Georgia
Institute of Technology, the study is believed to be the first
to evaluate the immunization benefits