According to research conducted in The Gambia, a vaccine patch may be a secure and reliable substitute for traditional measles vaccinations in protecting young infants. Especially in isolated locations, the stick-like device is more convenient to store and transport than traditional injections. Measles is a highly contagious disease that mostly affects youngsters and has a high death rate. Experts state that protecting children who are at risk globally is a top issue.
Millions of children remain unvaccinated since the Covid pandemic, especially in low- and middle-income nations, despite the availability of a very effective measles vaccination. With 95% of youngsters immunized, experts now believe that microneedle patch technology can restart vaccination campaigns. The microarray patch adheres to the arm, and several tiny needles puncture the skin to administer the vaccination painlessly.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia’s vaccine and immunity lead, pediatrician Prof. Ed Clarke, stated of the results, “These are very promising results which have generated a lot of excitement.”
“They demonstrate for the first time that vaccines can be safely and effectively given to babies and young children using microarray-patch technology.”