Measles: a promising patch to protect children from the disease

Photo credit, MRC Gambia Division at LSHTM

Image caption, In The Gambia, a small child is given a microchip patch on his wrist to give him a measles vaccine.

Author, Philippa Roxby
Role, Medical journalist
21 minutes ago

The vaccine patch may be a safe and effective alternative to protect children from measles, according to a study conducted in The Gambia.

The patch-sized device is easier to transport and store than traditional injections, especially in remote areas.

Measles is a highly contagious disease common among children that can be fatal.

Protecting vulnerable children around the world is a priority, experts say.

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Microscopic needles

Despite the existence of a highly effective measles vaccine, declining vaccination rates since the Covid pandemic have left millions of children unprotected, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

But now scientists hope that microneedle technology will help get vaccinations back on track and immunize 95% of children.

The microarray patch is attached to the arm, and numerous microscopic needles painlessly deliver the vaccine through the skin.

“These extremely promising results have caused a lot of excitement,” said Professor Ed Clarke, a pediatrician and head of the Vaccines and Immunity Unit at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a unit of the Medical Research Council in The Gambia.

“They demonstrate for the first time that vaccines can be safely and effectively delivered to infants and children using microchip and patch technology.”

Photo credit, MRC Gambia Division at LSHTM

In a study of more than 200 healthy toddlers and infants, the immune response to the patch was as strong as to the vaccine.

After one dose, more than 90% of children were protected against measles and all children were protected against rubella, and there were no safety concerns.

The patch remained in place for five minutes, but future trials will reduce this duration to one minute or less, the researchers said.

And it could potentially be used against other diseases.

Fast diffusion

The patch has several advantages over needle injections: instead of doctors and nurses, volunteers with minimal training can apply the patch, and there is no longer a need to use refrigerators for transport and cold storage. It also reduces fear of needles and the risk of injury from needles.

Researchers say that even in countries like Britain, where there is no shortage of such resources, the patches may be more convenient and encouraging for some parents whose children are not vaccinated.

The latest figures for England show a rise in measles cases, particularly in recent weeks in London, where measles vaccination rates are low in some areas.

In these communities, it only takes one child to become infected with measles for it to spread quickly, health experts warn.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine provides the best protection against measles.

Two doses are recommended when children enter primary school, but older children and adults can be vaccinated at any time.

Vaccine equity

In 2022, about 83% of children will receive a dose of measles vaccine before their first birthday, the lowest rate since 2008, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

That same year, measles caused about 136,000 deaths, mostly among children under five who received only one dose or were not vaccinated at all.

Dr Ikechukwu Adigweme, co-author of the study, said: “We hope this is an important step in the right direction: “We hope this is an important step towards greater vaccine equity among disadvantaged populations.

Larger trials are now being planned on unvaccinated children to determine whether the patches can be used on a larger scale.

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