New Transdermal Flu Patch Could Save Countless Lives

Millions of people get the flue vaccine each year; however many adults and children do not like to get shots for a variety of reasons. Scientists are now studying a painless way to give the flu vaccine.

Researchers have invented a microneedle patch that can deliver flu vaccine painlessly to the skin. The vaccine is dissolved into the skin and no shot would be needed. These vaccines are currently being experimented with on mice; however it is showing a great deal of promise for human use.

The microneedles, less than 1 millimeter in length, or about half the thickness of a nickel turned on its side, dissolve into the skin and are small enough that they don’t draw blood or cause pain, researchers said.

Because no health professional would actually have to administer a needle, the transdermal patch could also let people self-administer vaccines at home, thereby increasing compliance and making it easier for people in developing countries to have access to life-saving vaccines, the researchers said.

It is estimated that influenza kills more than 30,000 people a year and the government recommends most healthy people get vaccinated annually, however only 40 percent typically do.