A patch being researched in Ireland and the UK may be a cheaper and more cost-effective way to deliver immunizations. The research was led by immunologist Dr Anne Moore, who will soon travel to Silicon Valley in attempts to find funding for clinical trials of the patch.
The patch itself is made up of 100 tiny needles that painlessly attach to the skin. The research team began testing the microneedles in the patch with a malaria vaccine. They found that the patch delivered a high level of immunity with less than the amount used in a traditional needle vaccine. Another benefit of the patch is that it doesn’t require refrigeration, instead using forms of sugar to secure and protect the vaccine.
If the patch proves to be effective through clinical trials, delivering vaccines may become much easier. Not only will children be less afraid of getting their vaccines, people with a fear of needles will be more likely to get their vaccines as well. Providing immunizations to developing countries would also become less of a burden if the need for refrigeration is no longer an issue.
Read more about the patch here
