WASHINGTON, D.C. (Achieve3000, September 22, 2010). Doctors recommend that nearly everyone gets a flu shot each year, but many people are afraid of needles. What are health officials to do? Get rid of the needles—at least the big scary ones. Researchers are developing a new method of vaccine delivery that would be less painful and could even be used at home: a patch with microneedles.
Researchers led by Mark R. Prausnitz of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) developed the patch. It's like a Band-Aid with tiny needles attached to one side. The patch is placed on the skin and left for 5 minutes to 15 minutes. The little needles, or microneedles, inject the skin with a dose of the vaccine, just like a regular shot. But the needles are so small that they barely penetrate the skin before they dissolve. In tests of microneedles without vaccine, people rated the discomfort at one-tenth to one-twentieth of that from getting a standard injection. Nearly everyone said it was painless.
That could help a lot of people who should get a flu shot every year but avoid it because they're afraid of needles. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people over 6 months of age receive a flu vaccine annually. The flu virus is a respiratory illness with symptoms that include fever, headaches, fatigue, and a stuffy nose. The vaccine prevents the people who receive it from getting many strains of the flu and helps limit the spread of the flu.
The convenience of a microneedle patch could encourage more people to get vaccinated. Many people don't get a flu shot because it's inconvenient, but if they could get the patch in the mail or at the pharmacy, they might do so. Since the needles are so small, it does not take special training to learn how to use the patch. No doctor or nurse would need to be involved.
"The goal has been [to create] a means to administer the vaccine that is patient-friendly," explained Prausnitz. That means developing something that "not only [wouldn't hurt or look] scary, but that patients could self-administer."
The patch could also help resolve issues over the disposal of leftover hypodermic needles. Since the tiny needles dissolve, there are no leftover sharp needles, which require special disposal containers and can be dangerous if placed directly in the garbage.
As of September 2010, the patch had been tested on mice and on people, although the tests on people did not involve doses of the vaccine. The researchers were seeking funds to begin vaccine tests on people. If all goes well, the patch could be in use in five years.
What if the term "microneedles" is too scary for the public? Prausnitz said he believes the patch will have a better name before it goes on sale.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
R—Restate the question
A—Answer the question
This part should be one complete sentence.
C—Cite relevant evidence (A DIRECT QUOTE) that supports answer.
Possible
starters:
-According to the author,
-According to the text,
-The author stated
E—Explain the reason you chose the pieces of evidence and how it supports your thesis statement.
Possible starters:
This evidence proves…
-This evidence shows…
-These facts indicate…
This part should be 1-3 sentences.
S—Sum up final thoughts
How?
Restate your claim from the first box.
Possible starters:
-Overall
-All in All
This part should be one sentence.
should be one paragrph
R: How are health officials planning to make flu shots less scary for people afraid of needles?
A: Health officials are planning to use a patch with microneedles for vaccine delivery.
C: According to the article, "Researchers led by Mark R. Prausnitz of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) developed the patch. It's like a Band-Aid with tiny needles attached to one side."
E: This evidence proves that researchers are looking into alternative methods of vaccine delivery to make flu shots less scary for those afraid of needles. By developing a patch with microneedles, they aim to provide a painless and convenient option for vaccination.
S: Overall, health officials are hoping that the use of microneedle patches for flu shots will encourage more people to get vaccinated, as it offers a less painful and more accessible alternative to traditional injections.
use 2 peices of evidence
R: How are health officials planning to make flu shots less scary for people afraid of needles?
A: Health officials are planning to use a patch with microneedles for vaccine delivery.
C1: The article states, "But the needles are so small that they barely penetrate the skin before they dissolve."
C2: According to the text, "Nearly everyone said it was painless."
E: These pieces of evidence demonstrate that the microneedle patch provides a less painful and more comfortable vaccination experience for individuals who are afraid of needles, ultimately making flu shots less scary for them.
S: All in all, health officials hope that the introduction of microneedle patches for flu shots will increase vaccination rates by offering a painless and convenient alternative to traditional injections.