Vaccination Via Skin Patch Appears Promising

The recent H1N1 flu pandemic has reminded everyone in public health that the entire process of manufacturing vaccines and method for vaccinating large numbers of people has great room for improvement.

However, a consortium of American and European researchers have found a much better way of delivering flu and other types of vaccines, via a self-administered vaccine skin patch.

In a recent study, researchers found mice could be effectively vaccinated against the H5N1 flu virus, via a patch containing tiny micro-needles. The mice developed protective immunity to the virus at levels equal to or beyond that received from an intramuscular shot, including the study showing human skin cells responded to flu like particles delivered in the patch. The findings of the study have been published in the journal Clinical and Vaccine Immunology.

The device consists of around 100 tiny, dissolvable needles embedded in an adhesive patch, which can be quickly, easily and painlessly self-administered. More research is necessary for finding out whether this method translates to humans, including the ability of people to use the patch accurately, themselves.

The authors of the study write about the desirability of developing pandemic influenza vaccines, which can be produced rapidly on a large scale, at low cost, including vaccine delivery methods enabling mass vaccination within weeks, instead of months.

The patch-based format of micro-needles will help simplify vaccination, enabling self-administration.

This year’s flu vaccine will provide protection against the H1N1 virus, in addition to other strains of flu.

Millburn residents can get the vaccine at a fall flu clinic held Wednesday, 15th September from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bauer Community Centre at Taylor Park.

The vaccine is free for residents 65 plus having a Medicare card, while those under 65 years have to pay $20 fee.Registration forms are available at Millburn Town Hall and the Millburn Free Public Library.

Via : visitbulgaria.info