You have probably tried those handy cellophane-like strips to rid yourself of bad breath. You may have even used a medicine strip to stop a cold, but have you heard about the vaccine strip? It’s the latest idea from John Hopkins University and Aridis Pharmaceuticals.
This innovative way to inoculate, designed by biomedical-engineering students, would revolutionize the way we receive vaccinations. This is especially good news for children. The vaccine strip would eliminate the ouch factor that a standard shot produces, it’s more effective than liquid which can spill, and the easy melt away strip goes down fast. The strips, in solid form, cost less to transport and store versus a liquid vaccine too.
Aridis recently received $2 million in funding from the PATH organization via the Gates Foundation. This will help the group refine the strips and make them more effective on viruses such as the rotavirus. This is phenomenal news. The rotavirus has a fatality rate in children of about 600,000 and sickens 2.7 million children worldwide each year. Being able to administer the strip to infants and not just to children makes the vaccine strip very enticing. While further testing is needed and it will probably be about four to six years before these vaccine strips are distributed and widely used there is progress being made. Progress and a pain free vaccination in our future.
Do you think vaccine strips will take the place of other vaccines in the future? Would you use them or allow your children to take them?
That's extraordinary. When I was a young child, I never liked getting shots. I was always so scared of needles. When I have children, I hope that the doctors may use these instead of needles.
lindawall::
on Jun 06, 2007
I think this is one of the greatest ideas that has come along in a really long time. I always hated taking my kids to get shots. Also it can be very expensive this should help with that (I like that part). Now does this go into the blood stream or through the digestive system? That could make a difference as to how it works! I am sure the doctors are up on all that. Also, how about what it will save as far as disposal of medical waste. Thank you to who ever came up with this.
jemminpa::
on Jun 06, 2007
Sounds good on paper. I certainly hope that testing is being done to ensure safety. As a mother of 3, I never like it when my girls need to have a needle for any reason, but my first concern is--how safe is it? Too many times we see the FDA pulling medications from the shelves because of terrible side effects. Unfortunately, testing can take up to 10 years to make sure it is safe for public use after human trials are done. For some reason, the pharmaceutical companies seem to get their drugs pushed through, and we end up with serious consequences because of their shortcuts.
All in all, it is a great idea, but please safety first!
SPRINGBABY::
on Jun 08, 2007
This would be a good idea....but I hope that all the appropriate testing has been done...so we are not the geniune pigs to test and try.
JaxxSaxx::
on Jun 10, 2007
I THINK THATS GREAT, BUT WILL IT BE AS AFFICTIVE AND SAFE.I WOULD'NT WANT TO SEE A INNOCENT CHILD GET SICK OR EVEN WORST.TESTIN TESTING TESTING .........
famos4::
on Jun 13, 2007
These strips would be a Godsend! I just had to hold down my youngest for her last round of shots in her thighs....Not a pretty sight. She's upset with me as much as she is with the nurses that administered the shots.
My kids regularly take "meltaway" type medications for allergies & pain relievers - it's a great advance to have the drug companies step up & include meltaway vaccinations for children old enough to take them. KUDOS!!!
Shelley263::
on Jun 15, 2007
This is what I have been praying for! I have the most horrific fear of shots....it's bad! Even as an adult, I can't handle them...as much as I tell myself it's all in my head...when the reality is there is real and it's fight and flight all the way! I was behind the nasal spray and I am behind this one too!!!!!
bshaw261::
on Jun 20, 2007
wow i cant wait for that to come out i hate shots so i give this a thumbs up.
mackie80::
on Jun 30, 2007
This would be so terrific if it were to work! As a diabetic, the less shots I have to deal with the better! Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for this new technology. All too often the hype ends up better than the actual product when we hear about it in the developmental stages. The gluco watch and inhaled insulin are two great examples from the diabetes world.
