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. 2022 Nov 30;18(4):2018863.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2021.2018863. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

Usability, acceptability, and feasibility of a High-Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) applicator as a delivery method for vaccination in clinical settings

Cristyn Davies  1   2 , Melody Taba  1   2 , Lucy Deng  1   3 , Ceylan Karatas  1   4 , Shopna Bag  5   6 , Charles Ross  7 , Angus Forster  7 , Robert Booy  1   2 , S Rachel Skinner  1   2
Affiliations

Usability, acceptability, and feasibility of a High-Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP) applicator as a delivery method for vaccination in clinical settings

Cristyn Davies et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. .

Abstract

Background: High-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) vaccines may increase vaccine acceptance and use. We aimed to ascertain whether professional immunizers (PIs) and other healthcare workers (HCWs) in Australia, a High-Income Country (HIC), found the HD-MAP applicator usable and acceptable for vaccine delivery.

Methods: This feasibility study recruited PIs and HCWs to administer/receive simulated HD-MAP administration, including via self-administration. We assessed usability against essential and desirable criteria. Participants completed a survey, rating their agreement to statements about HD-MAP administration. A subset also participated in an interview or focus group. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and interviews were transcribed and subject to thematic analysis.

Results: We recruited 61 participants: 23 PIs and 38 HCWs. Findings indicated high usability and acceptability of HD-MAP use across both groups by a healthcare professional or trained user and for self-administration with safety measures in place. Most administrations met essential criteria, but PIs, on average, applied the HD-MAP for slightly less time than the required 10-seconds, which the HCWs achieved. PIs perceived safety concerns about home administration but found layperson self-administration acceptable in an emergency, pandemic, and rural or remote settings.

Conclusions: Participants found HD-MAP administration usable and acceptable. Usability and acceptability are likely to be improved through end-user education and training.

Keywords: High-Density Microarray Patch (HD-MAP); Microarray patch; acceptability; self-administration; usability; vaccination patch.

Plain language summary

Professional immunizers and healthcare workers found high-density microarray patch devices highly usable and acceptable to administer vaccines.HD-MAPs may have advantages over intramuscular injections in clinical settings and in pandemics.Vaccination with HD-MAP may improve acceptance for those with needle-related anxiety.

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Conflict of interest statement

CD’s institution has received monies for consultancy work provided to Vaxxas; her salary is paid partly through the research grant which funds this study. CR and AF are paid employees of Vaxxas Pty Ltd, the company that co-funded this study. RB consults to Vaxxas for this work and to Abbott, GSK, Jansen, MSD Merck, Novartis, Novavax, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi Pasteur and Seqirus for activities outside the presented work. SRS has received funding from Seqirus and Merck for her contribution to educational activities for the general-public and professionals. MT, LD, CK, SB report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study flow.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Intervention process.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
HD-MAP applicator administration usability survey items.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
HD-MAP applicator administration acceptability survey items.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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