New Needle free vaccine Delivery Technology

Some scientists say the days of the hypodermic needle are numbered, and that receiving immunizations with a needle may be a thing of the past. Biomedical engineers have developed a variety of new needle-free vaccine with hopes of replacing it. So far, the engineers have hopes that it will be the new way to fight the measles, and maybe even other diseases as well, such as polio. The CDC has called the new technology a "game changer" and is actively assisting a team of biomedical engineers at Georgia Institute of Technology with the formula. It's their goal to make the needle-free immunizations work against an array of germs.

If approved, the new technology could allow for the mailing of certain immunizations, and could very possibility be administered by just about anyone. Scientists are also looking into the prospect of sending them out with teams of minimally-trained medical technicians as well. Either method would have a positive impact on developing countries around the world, or just anyone living in a remote location.

The idea behind needle-free technology isn't new, but developing a formula with all of the kinks worked out has been a challenge. There is also the need to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which is an expensive and lengthy process. Experts say needle-free technology could emerge in the next 3-10 years.

But the scientists behind the needle-free vaccine technology say the rewards would be well worth the effort.

A Variety of New Needle-Free Vaccine Technologies

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The following advancements in needle-free vaccine technology are being actively developed by scientists: 

• Vaccine Patches: The Nanopatch, as it's currently branded, has an array of thousands of microneedles (or micro projections) that are coated in the vaccine itself. The microneedles bore into the outermost layers of the skin with help from an applicator. The microneedle tips of the Nanopatch next release the vaccine directly into cells in large numbers directly under the skin's surface, administering the immunization. The Nanopatch consists of a 1 cm² square of silicon and has ~20,000 micro projections (of the vaccine) on the surface. The technology targets the material the activates the process and sends it to layers underneath skin that are rich with immune-absorbing cells. The effect is an increase in immunogenicity, which triggers the immune response. Recent experiments in pre-clinicals have shown engineers that it can remove or greatly reduce the amount of additional material need required for adequate vaccination. The Nanopatch is being developed by scientists at a company called Vaxxas, but another immunization patch is also being developed by scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

• Vaccine Sprays: This needle-free vaccine has already been tested and developed. Influenza vaccines for the 2015-2016 flu season are projected to provide adequate protection against a total of four different flu viruses, but the CDC notes that the effectiveness will depend on a person's immune system, too. These viruses include influenza A, or H1N1; influenza A, or H3N2; and two influenza B viruses as well. It's a nasal spray that might not work well with everyone; pregnant women, adults 50 and over, people who have taken influenza antiviral drugs, and a few more should not be administered with the nasal spray. According to the CDC, the spray works by the spraying of live viruses into the patient. The CDC notes, however, that the viruses themselves are attenuated (which means weakened), and cannot alone cause a person to get ill with influenza. The weak viruses are designed to cause infection only at cold temperatures within the nasal passages.

• Vaccine Injections: Needle-free injections, which are boasted with eliminating injuries associated with needles and reducing cross-contamination and needle reuse, are actually already on the market. PharmaJet's needleless technology works by administering the liquid vaccine in a narrow, precise stream-based injection. It is designed to penetrate beneath the skin at the rate of 1/10 of a second, and can currently be used to fight a number of influenza viruses. The injection technology is spring-operated, meaning, it requires no type of externalized power source. PharmaJet states that it is a more sterile means of vaccinating because there is no needle involved. The company also notes that it employs a smooth, trigger-like force without a needle. The CDC has already approved the use of the AFLURIA Influenza Vaccine for use with PharmaJet's needle-free injection.

The CDC has said that recent trials with the needle-free patch technology have allowed for the development of proposals for human clinical trials. These trials could start as early as 2017. Microneedle technology could provide better protection against rotavirus, tuberculosis, polio, rubella, influenza and other diseases as well.

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Author Bio: Jeff Shjarback, MBA is a Digital Marketing Strategy Consultant that has worked as a Vaccine Specialist and Biological Products Specialist. Jeff enjoys blogging about internet marketing, small business, lead generation, economics, innovation & emerging technology, future trend analysis and business philosophy. Jeff is one of the main contributors to the FluPatch.org blog. To learn more about Jeff, you can visit his Google Author Profile.

Sources:

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-measles-vaccine-needle-free-n349251

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(10)70305-4/fulltext?rss=yes

http://pharmajet.com/fda-approves-afluria-influenza-vaccine-pharmajets-needle-free-injector/

http://www.passporthealthusa.com/2013/03/needle-free-vaccines-not-too-good-to-be-true/

http://www.vaxxas.com/nanopatch-technology

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6430a3.htm#Considerations_Use_Live_Attenuated

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm

http://pharmajet.com/product/