Needle-free vaccine trial starts in Morayfield

Not too keen on needles? USC Clinical Trials is tomorrow (May 27) launching a study, in Morayfield, into needle-free vaccine delivery technology, developed by Australian company Vaxxas.

The trial of a high-density microarray patch for measles and rubella vaccine will be led by Dr Indika Leelasena at the USC Clinical Trials centre at the Health Hub Morayfield.

Dr Angus Forster, Chief Development Officer at Vaxxas, said the study will look at the safety and tolerability of a measles and rubella vaccine delivered by HD-MAP.

Volunteers needed

It will also assess whether it provides an immune response comparable to a standard intramuscular dose by needle.

The study requires healthy volunteers aged 18-50 years old who are in good general health and have a body mass index within the range of 18-32.

Participants will be required to visit the USC Clinical Trials clinic at Dickson Rd, Morayfield approximately seven times over an eight-week period and receive two phone calls.

No need for needles

“This patch could offer some exciting advances in vaccine delivery and might help eliminate the need for needles when giving any vaccination,” Dr Angus says.

“It could also mean that vaccines no longer need to be refrigerated, making it easier to transport them safely to people in remote locations.

“This would be a major improvement to healthcare around the world. Measles remains a major health problem in low- and middle-income countries, so a successful patch vaccine will likely save thousands of lives every year.”

Exciting time

USC Clinical Trials Director Lucas Litewka said it was exciting to see some of the most innovative advances to vaccine technology coming out of Australia.

“We hope our community will share our excitement around this, and show their support through participating in the trial,” he said.

Those interested in participating can find more information at www.usc.edu.au/trials

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