In the last few weeks, I have written about the various controversies and rumors that commonly swirl around the flu vaccine. What is it made of? How does it work? DOES it work? Having debunked a few myths and discovered a lot of facts, we have learned a lot about what the flu vaccine really is in this day and age. But what does the future of the flu vaccine look like?
Well, throughout my research, I’ve come across several theories and proposals about innovative vaccines that could eliminate some of issues I’ve mentioned in past posts, like the need to reconfigure the vaccine every year to cater to virus mutations.
For example, Time Magazine published an article last year touting two research papers about the “universal flu vaccine.” As I said, this would be a vaccine that treats all forms of the flu virus, eliminating the guess factor of predicting what strain will rear its ugly head every year. Essentially, these two research papers explore the possibility of isolating the stem of the virus cells, as opposed to the head, and formulating a vaccine from that.
According to the paper published in Science magazine, the head, referred to as “the head region of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein,” is what is susceptible to “genetic drift” (changes) and is what causes the flu virus to mutate every year. The stem, however, or the “hemagglutinin-stem nanoparticles,” represents a large part of viral cells that remains the same. Using these cells from the stem, scientists are hoping to create a vaccine that will be biologically recognizable to anyone who has fought off the flu virus before. Since the stem of the viral cell remains the same, the “universal flu vaccine” would be strengthening existing antibodies instead of creating a set of new ones every year.
Although this vaccine is not necessarily “universal” yet, it could be a way to protect people from more strains of the flu virus for longer periods of time and lay the groundwork for an idyllic ‘one flu shot per lifetime’ future.
Scientists are also researching new ways to administer the flu shot. If a less invasive means by which to immunize people were patented, perhaps individuals who were originally scared of needles would be more willing to get the shot.
For example, an article by NPR news explained an innovative patch that could feasibly eliminate needles from the vaccination process in general. Mark Prausnitz, a professor of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech, is trying to create a small sticker, similar to a band-aid, that an individual would wear long enough to be punctured by 100 microscopic needles that eventually dissolve and spread the vaccination throughout the body. I know what you’re thinking: ‘100 needles as opposed to one? Uh, no thanks.’ But Prausnitz says “it wouldn’t be like sandpaper or scratching, you would have a hard time feeling a difference between the needles being there or not being there.”
Having worked on this tiny, tear-drop shaped patch for 20 years with researchers from the CDC and Emory University, Prausnitz identifies some of the many advantages to using this vaccine patch. Primarily, the patch would eliminate the need for high-tech refrigeration systems and, thus, clinics and trained medical personnel to handle them. This would make it much easier to administer the flu vaccine to rural areas and could increase the availability of vaccinations to lower-income demographics. Secondarily, there would be no syringes or needles to dispose of, two types of medical waste that often pose a risk to healthcare professionals.
“We would like people to ultimately self-administer their vaccines,” Prausnitz says, when prompted about his vision for the patch. Testing of the patch on human subjects is expected to start in 2017.
These are just two examples of projects seeking to improve the flu vaccine. Conducted by some of the smartest scientists in the world, this research will undoubtedly result in a brighter, needle-less future for the rest of us. What do you think about these ideas? Would you prefer the patch or the needle?
This is so interesting! It is crazy how innovative and advanced our medical technology is becoming. I'm not sure I would try the patch right away, I would definitely want to wait and see if it works for others and has no extreme health risks. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI still remember the day I got the H1N1 flu shot since the (older) lady administering the shot was shaking enough to almost miss my arm entirely. Self-administration with needle micro-arrays would certainly be a convenience for lots of people, but I can imagine the issues that may arise with giving people that kind of power and responsibility. That being said, I'm looking forward to a future free of the flu! Nice posts, and I'm glad you stuck with this specific topic.
ReplyDeleteI still remember the day I got the H1N1 flu shot since the (older) lady administering the shot was shaking enough to almost miss my arm entirely. Self-administration with needle micro-arrays would certainly be a convenience for lots of people, but I can imagine the issues that may arise with giving people that kind of power and responsibility. That being said, I'm looking forward to a future free of the flu! Nice posts, and I'm glad you stuck with this specific topic.
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post! I have never heard about either of these solutions before. I'm curious why it has taken scientists this long to try creating a vaccine from the stem of the virus. I'm curious what problems could arise by trying to do this from a production point of view. The path idea is really interesting. However, since it has 100 needles (even if it doesn't feel like it) I feel like it will have lots of backlash in the beginning.
ReplyDeleteTo say these scientists are really the smartest and brightest is another thing, but to actual hear their backgrounds and stats about them really proves that as well. These people know exactly what they are doing , which makes me comfortable on trying their experiments. I might not be for it a 100% because it still sounds weird doing it needle less, but give me time and more persuasion, I'll be good :) . Great post !!
ReplyDeleteWow.. we are finally get to see the moment when the needle is no longer required. The advent of vaccine patch will undoubtedly increase immunization rate in rural areas, and will benefits children who are afraid of needles.Can't imagine our society in twenty years since it changes its shape so vastly every year.
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