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. 2021 Apr 1;9(4):320.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines9040320.

Dissolvable Microneedle Patches to Enable Increased Access to Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and Future Pandemic Outbreaks

Jesse O'Shea  1 , Mark R Prausnitz  2 , Nadine Rouphael  1
Affiliations

Dissolvable Microneedle Patches to Enable Increased Access to Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and Future Pandemic Outbreaks

Jesse O'Shea et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

Vaccines are an essential component of pandemic preparedness but can be limited due to challenges in production and logistical implementation. While vaccine candidates were rapidly developed against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), immunization campaigns remain an obstacle to achieving herd immunity. Dissolvable microneedle patches are advantageous for many possible reasons: improved immunogenicity; dose-sparing effects; expected low manufacturing cost; elimination of sharps; reduction of vaccine wastage; no need for reconstitution; simplified supply chain, with reduction of cold chain supply through increased thermostability; ease of use, reducing the need for healthcare providers; and greater acceptability compared to traditional hypodermic injections. When applied to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and future pandemic outbreaks, microneedle patches have great potential to improve vaccination globally and save many lives.

Keywords: dissolvable microneedle patch; drug delivery; equity; skin vaccination; vaccine delivery.

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Conflict of interest statement

M.R.P. is an inventor of patents licensed to companies developing microneedle-based products, is a paid advisor to companies developing microneedle-based products, and is a founder/shareholder of companies developing microneedle-based products (Micron Biomedical). This potential conflict of interest has been disclosed and is managed by Georgia Institute of Technology. N.R. receives institutional funds from Merck, Sanofi Pasteur, Lilly, Quidel, and Pfizer. All other authors have nothing to disclose. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Dissolvable microneedle patch for simplified vaccination. (a) An array of microneedles containing pink dye to simulate vaccine. A microneedle patch (b) showing the microneedle array, adhesive backing, and non-adhesive tab for handling. (c) A microneedle patch being applied to the skin. Images courtesy of (a) Devin McAllister, Georgia Tech, (b) Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech, and (c) Rob Felt, Georgia Tech.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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