UFMG scientists develop revolutionary adhesive for vaccine application

Scientists from UFMG, in collaboration with a network of scientists from different Brazilian universities, are developing a new way of administering vaccines, professionals are testing a product that should put an end to the use of syringes and needles in administering vaccines. It’s a small sticker, about 5mm.

_{Researchers develop application of vaccines through stickers. Video: Playback/Instagram/@jornalnacional}

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The first test was carried out on human and animal skin from the international fur bank. The result was promising because there was no irritation, allergy or inflammation. The next step is to do the same test, only on live animals. In these two stages, scientists do not use immunizer in the patch. The objective is to find out if the product is toxic.

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“The use in mice, which is the animal model, in which you will see if there is any systemic problem, if this can cause any systemic alteration, that is, if it will cause toxicity in the kidneys, if it will cause toxicity in the liver, if the animal will feel discomfort from having this application”clarifies Lídia Andrade, researcher at UFMG.

How does the sticker work?

And in the last stage, at UFMG, which should take place by 2025, the patch will be tested with immunizers. At first in animals and then in humans. The adhesive has microneedles smaller than 1 mm. The intention is that in contact with the skin you do not feel any discomfort, much less pain. It can be applied anywhere on the body and can only be removed after an hour to take effect.

According to Anvisa, there are no vaccines registered in the form of a patch for human application in Brazil and there is still no forecast of when the immunization patches will be available on the market. Guilherme Mattos Jardim Costa, a researcher at UFMG, says that he believes that with this technology, more people will be adept at receiving medication. For the researcher, vaccination coverage and other applications of this technology are increasing.

Featured Photo: The purpose of creating the adhesive is to put an end to discomfort and pain at the time of application. Reproduction/National Newspaper

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