What Is The Flu Patch?
A flu patch is a small patch with over 100 microneedles that is used to offer a safe relative way to administer traditional vaccinations against the flu. The patch is small and dissolvable and would be a hit and welcome among those that shudder at the sight of needles.
The patches are a relatively better option as compared to needles as they come safely at 40 degrees, avoiding any wastage as it is the case with normal vaccines that have to be kept at cold temperatures.
This simply means that people might soon be receiving their flu vaccine in the mail as compared to visiting a hospital. The use of microneedle arrays is not a new concept in the medical industry, having been widely used in the cosmetic industry to perform the delivery of botox.
These microneedles are usually tiny protrusions less than a millimeter in height. The patch is usually applied on your skin’s surface and allowed to stay for 20 minutes for the vaccine to dissolve. They are then removed and disposed of.
This is a new technique for individuals that fear the pain of injections. The adhesive helps the patch grip to the skin during the administration of the vaccine. These needles are long enough to just penetrate the skin.
We have to remember that the skin is the main surveillance organ that can detect even the smallest of pathogens. Once the skin detects the influenza pathogen, it produces an immune response against it.
What Are The Benefits Of Flu Patches?
Flu patches are a great choice with several benefits as compared to traditional needles. The first and main advantage is the fact that users don’t have to feel any pain when the patches are being applied, something which will potentially increase the number of people looking to be vaccinated against the flu.
Researchers have also found the microneedles to be 100% safe without any harmful side effects. The only thing that patients experience is a localized skin patch reaction and some mild itching that lasts for 2-3 days. This is a safe way to administer the vaccine to people without having them endure the pain of pricking the skin.
The process of administering the vaccine is pretty easy, and people can do it without help. Just imagine getting your flu vaccine through the mail and administering it on your own without the help of a medical officer. This is another massive benefit that can reduce the number of people visiting local clinics for flu shots.
One other main advantage is when there is an influenza outbreak in a certain area. These patches can easily be sent to people in that area and have them vaccinate themselves on their own without the help of clinical officers. This is a great way to prevent an outbreak instead of requesting people to come for shots.
Most people might ignore and only come out when infected, but that is not the case when they can get their patches sent to their homes.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Flue Patches?
The research around the use flu patches has not been done on a large scale, but results so far are promising. There are no serious or adverse side effects that have been reported. The few minor side effects reported include:
- Mild Itching
- Development Of A Localized Skin Patch
- Faint Redness On The Applied Area
Most of these mild effects disappear within 2-3 days. The antibody response generated by these patches and those of the shots are relatively the same, which goes to show this method works just as well as shots.
Flu Patch Review Summary
The use of flu patches will be a revolutionary technology in the vaccination area, with several manufacturing and economic benefits.
