Development of stabilized vaccines with needle-free devices for targeted skin immunization

Moore, Anne C.; Crean, Abina M.; O'Mahony, Conor

Development of stabilized vaccines with needle-free devices for targeted skin immunization

Files

European_Pharm_Press_AMoore_ImmuPatch_2010.pdf(365.84 KB)

Accepted Version

Date

2010-12

Authors

Moore, Anne C.

Crean, Abina M.

O'Mahony, Conor

Publisher

Russell Publishing Limited

Abstract

Vaccination represents the primary public health measure to combat infectious diseases. However, limitations of cold-chain storage, vaccine wastage, hazardous sharps-waste and the requirements for trained personnel add significant and unsustainable financial and logistic costs to immunisation programmes. Developments of needle-free methods should aim to overcome these logistics issues from the very start of the vaccine production process. Dermal vaccine administration using microneedle-based devices promises to be one such needle-free method that addresses all of these issues. Methods of stabilisation of vaccines onto or incorporated into microneedles should be developed to permit seamless transition and cost-effectiveness from vaccine bulk-up to final product. This review examines recent developments in microneedle technology and highlights the current challenges to translate this technology into practice.

Keywords

Vaccine delivery , Microneedle

Citation

MOORE, A. C., CREAN, A. M. & O'MAHONY, C. 2010. Development of stabilized vaccines with needle-free devices for targeted skin immunization. European Pharmaceutical Review, 15(6), pp. 56-60.