Scientists claim that a needle-free COVID-19 vaccine could arrive. If this is true, the innovation will really help a lot of people who are afraid of needles.
Lisa Taylor receives a COVID-19 vaccination from RN Jose Muniz as she takes part in a vaccine study at Research Centers of America on August 07, 2020 in Hollywood, Florida. Research Centers of America is currently conducting COVID-19 vaccine trials, implemented under the federal government's Operation Warp Speed program. The center is recruiting volunteers to participate in the clinical trials, working with the Federal Government and major Pharmaceutical Companies, that are racing to develop a vaccine to potentially prevent COVID-19.
The new technology brings excitement to those people who are ready to get the vaccine but don't want to endure the pain of getting an injection.
"Fear of the needle is part of the reluctance for a full uptake of adult vaccines," said Rachel Skinner, a professor at the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health via The Sydney Morning Herald.
She also explained that fear of needles also affects the vaccination rates from early childhood.
"It is often related to looking at the needle coming in," she added.
What is a microarray patch?
Skinner is currently the leader of the team, which investigates the possible alternative to needle vaccine delivery. The new technique is called the microarray patch.
The researchers are hoping that this innovation can soon be used to administer vaccines for influenza and the novel coronavirus.
A person is vaccinated during a national campaign of vaccination implemented by the government after having decreed a state of health emergency at CDI Dr. Alcides Rodriguez on March 14, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela. Delcy Rodriguez, Vice President of Venezuela, confirmed on Friday 13th the first two cases of COVID-19. President Nicolas Maduro had decreed a state of emergency in the health sector, suspended all flights from Europe and Colombia and mass public gatherings are banned. There is international concern about the management of the COVID-19 epidemic in Venezuela due to its collapsed health system.
The microarray patch is covered in more than 3000 micro projections coated in a dry vaccine formula. It is a square centimeter of a biocompatible polymer, which can be applied to the skin via a disposable applicator.
Once it is on the surface of your skin, it will penetrate the outer layer and quickly deliver the vaccine dose to the cell layers immediately underneath.
What causes fear of needles?
Once the microarray patch is used together with the COVID-19 vaccine, many people will no longer have to be afraid. As of the moment, many individuals, especially children don't want to have vaccines because of the needles.
According to Healthline, there are several reasons why people tend to develop trypanophobia or fear of the needle. These include changes in brain chemistry, a negative experience brought by a specific situation or object, and learning from a negative experience.
If you have this phobia, you may experience the following when you are pricked by a needle or even when you see a needle.
- avoiding or running away from medical care
- insomnia
- panic attacks
- dizziness
- high blood pressure
- anxiety
- feeling emotionally
- fainting
- racing heart rate
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
