A group of researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta experimented with an easy-to-apply patch (even for those without medical training), safe and representing The alternative of the future for the prevention of various diseases: from influenza to measles.
“The patch is easy to administer even by the patients themselves -say the authors-will be used, However, additional tests on a greater number of patients before a large-scale application.”
The patch-vaccine presents on its surface about 100 microscopic needles every square inch, and is composed of a special polymer, sugar and the active ingredient of the vaccine. Once applied, with the pressure of one thumb, they dissolve within twenty minutes, releasing the vaccinal substances. Immediately after the patch can be removed and thrown.
Attention has been paid toecology: patented microneedles are absorbed directly by the skin, and the patch, after application, can be thrown in the normal waste. In addition the device can be stored, even outside the refrigerator for about a year, in fact, it can be stored at room temperature. Epidemiologists have noted the preference of a large number of people to this innovative device: for example, those who suffer from needles phobia, i.e. the 70 volunteers to test and about 10 of the population, including several children, and is also much less painful than traditional methods. Wounds or syringe contamination are also avoided.
‘It is gratifying to see that these patches have been tested on man with such positive results, ‘ said Mr Prausnitz. ‘We Must now continue with a Phase two clinical trial involving a larger number of people and we hope that it will happen soon.
People give endless reasons for not doing flu vaccination: That’s why one of our goals was to Making the vaccine even more accessible. It is usually necessary to undergo a visit to the doctor, who then administer the vaccine with a hypodermic needle. The vaccine must be stored in the refrigerator and the injection needle must be used safely. The Microaghi patch, on the other hand, can be bought and taken home. Can be applied on the skin in a few minutes
, and then it can be removed and thrown away
safely, because the needles dissolve in the skin. The patch can also stay out of the fridge, so much so that it could even be Shipped by mail».
The cost of the device is very similar to that of normal vaccines, but its reduced size allows to reduce the costs of transport and storage, without counting the thermal necessities (special refrigerators) of the injection vaccines.
The vaccine-patch was experimented on 100 healthy and unvaccinated volunteers (from 18 to 49 years) dividing them into 4 groups:
- Traditional vaccine,
- Placebo Patch,
- Patch with vaccine administered by a doctor,
- Self-administered vaccine patch.
The antibody response (verified by blood tests after 180 days) was identical to that obtained with the traditional vaccine, in fact none of the people subjected to the flu vaccine became ill in the 6 months following the Administration.
The results have been published in the Prestigious journal
The Lancet
, and have shown that the flu patch is effective, safe, and does not cause any significant side effects : superficial skin reactions, Redness and itching lasted at most in a couple of days.