a microarray patch, a small sticking plaster-like device with an array of microscopic projections that painlessly penetrate the skin and deliver the vaccine, or by conventional injection with a needle and syringe. The findings, published in The Lancet, show that the microarray patch was well tolerated by the children and that the immune responses were similar to or even stronger than those seen with the traditional injection method. This suggests that the microarray patch could be a promising alternative to traditional vaccination methods, particularly for children who may be afraid of needles or for use in settings where trained medical personnel are not readily available. These findings are an important step forward in the development of new vaccination technologies and could have a significant impact on global immunization efforts. The researchers are now planning further studies to confirm these findings and to assess the potential impact of microarray patch vaccination on a larger scale. Overall, this study provides promising evidence that microarray patches could be a safe and effective way to deliver vaccines to children and could help to improve immunization rates around the world.an array of tiny projections that can easily penetrate the skin and administer the vaccine, or through the traditional method of injection with a needle and syringe.
During the trial, 45 adults (aged 18-40), 120 toddlers (15-18 months old), and 120 infants (9-10 months old) in The Gambia participated. The study discovered that using the measles and rubella vaccine with a microarray patch resulted in an immune response that was just as effective as the traditional injection method.
Following a single vaccine dose, over 90% of infants were protected from measles and all infants were protected from rubella when administered via the microarray patch.The study involved the use of a microarray patch to deliver the measles and rubella vaccine, which is already widely administered to children through traditional injections and is known to be effective. The trial, conducted by researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found no safety issues with using the microarray patch for vaccine delivery. The patch was developed and produced by Micron Biomedical Inc, who also provided sponsorship and support for all aspects of the trial.The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded a study published in The Lancet that looked at the potential of microarray patches to achieve high levels of population immunity needed to control childhood diseases like measles and rubella. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 95% two-dose measles vaccine coverage and 80% population immunity for rubella. Microarray patches have been identified as the top innovation for overcoming immunization barriers in low-resource settings.
In low-resource settings, microarray patches offer several advantages over conventional vaccination methods.Innovative technologies are being developed to address the challenges of transporting and storing vaccines in remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Microarray patches offer a promising solution by eliminating the need for cold storage and the requirement for medical professionals to administer the vaccines. With only minimal training, volunteers can effectively administer the vaccines using these patches. Additionally, the risk of infections such as hepatitis and HIV, which can be transmitted through needlestick injuries, is greatly reduced with the use of microarray patches. In well-resourced countries like the UK, these advancements in vaccine delivery are particularly beneficial.Childhood vaccination programs, which have seen a rise in measles cases due to low immunization coverage, could benefit from microarray patches. These patches offer a more convenient and pain-free option compared to traditional injections. The hope is that using patches for vaccinations could encourage more parents, especially those in underprivileged areas, to vaccinate their children.
Professor Ed Clarke, a pediatrician leading the Vaccines and Immunity Theme at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM and co-author, expressed optimism about the early promising results.This study marks the first successful and safe administration of vaccines to babies and young children using microarray patch technology. While the focus has been on delivering measles vaccines through this method, the potential for delivering other vaccines has become a realistic possibility. Dr. Ikechukwu Adigweme, co-author and member of the Vaccines and Immunity Theme at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, expressed satisfaction with the positive results of the study and emphasized the potential for achieving greater vaccine equity among disadvantaged populations.The study had some limitations, as it was the first attempt to utilize microarray patches for delivering vaccines to children. The sample size was small and only included healthy adults, toddlers, and infants. However, the researchers are now planning larger trials with more diverse groups of children and infants to determine whether microarray patches should be recommended for widespread use in childhood vaccination programs.
