A Game-Changing Measles Vaccine Patch
By Best Newspaper Editor
Health Reporter
Image source: MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM
Microscopic Needles
Despite the existence of a very effective measles jab, falling vaccination
levels since the Covid pandemic have left millions of children unprotected,
particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
But now, scientists hope microneedle-patch technology can put vaccinations
back on track with 95% of children immunized.
The microarray patch sticks to the arm and lots of microscopic needles
deliver the vaccine through the skin, with no pain.
“These are extremely promising results which have generated a lot of
excitement,” said pediatrician Prof Ed Clarke, vaccine and immunity lead at
the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Medical Research
Council Unit The Gambia.
Image source: MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM
Spread Quickly
The patch has several advantages over needle injections – volunteers with
minimal training can apply the patch, instead of doctors and nurses, and
fridges for transporting and cold storage are no longer necessary. It also
reduces people’s fears over needles and the risk of injuries from them.
Even in countries such as the UK, where there is no shortage of these
resources, the patches could be more convenient and attractive to some
parents of young unvaccinated children, the researchers say.
The latest figures for England show measles cases rising, with a particular
spike in recent weeks in London, where some areas have low measles
vaccination rates.
In these communities, it takes only one child to catch measles for it to
spread quickly, health experts warn.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) jab offer the best protection against
measles.
Two doses by the time children start primary school are recommended, but
older children and adults can catch up on vaccines at any point.
In the same year, there were about 136,000 deaths from measles, mostly among
under-fives who’d had only one dose or none at all.
Co-study author Dr. Ikechukwu Adigweme said: “We hope this is an important
step in the march towards greater vaccine equity among disadvantaged
populations.”
Larger trials among young unvaccinated children are now planned to see
whether the patches could be rolled out more widely.
