Revolutionizing Vaccination from Syringes to Patches -Rural Settings

 

As Africa continues its efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio and measles, the introduction of patches as an alternative to syringes for vaccination holds great potential. Building on recent experiences, such as the Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) conducted for polio in Tanzania and the outbreak response in Malawi, we can forecast the potential impact of adopting patches in the African context, particularly in Tanzania.

Increased Vaccination Coverage:

The utilization of patches in vaccination campaigns has the potential to significantly improve coverage rates in Africa. By addressing the challenges associated with syringe shortages and hesitations related to needle usage, patches offer a more accessible and acceptable option for immunization. In Tanzania, where the SIA campaigns, following a National immunization campaign under the UNICEF, MOH, and WHO joint force response, the yield was high seen in the reporting at the IVD, due to the reasons, one can say, the means of administration, where the oral polio is administered by 2-drops of o.5ml of weaken Oral polio vaccine. According to the statistics, there were no VAAP cases reported during the time of vaccination or prior 40 days of any sudden paralysis  AFP in the Southern zone this shows that moving from injectable to patches, will yield more coverage - herd immunity specifically to BCG, Hepatitis B, and Polio doses. In the 1850s -( it was said the first vaccine to be tested was in DRC *I'll attach the source)  as the world was busy tackling the global eradication of Smallpox, Rotary took the trouble to enable vaccination 6M infants as hitting 1870s  it was a crucial role in polio eradication,  In Animal diseases ( Zonosese) as from 2011 it was reported the eradication of rinderpest with the North to south Mass vaccination campaign, it is 2023 the Data shows that:-

• 75% of emerging Infectious diseases of human have an animal origin  *Ebola, HIV, Influenza) 
• 65% of existing human infectious diseases are zoonoses  
• 5% of  new human diseases appear every year 3% are of animal origin  
• 80% of agents with potential bioterrorist use are zoonotic pathogens 

Hence the adoption of patches could enhance coverage by ensuring a more and new eradication list efficient and comfortable vaccination process. This, in turn, would contribute to the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases, reducing their incidence and impact on public health globally.

Enhanced Community Acceptance and Trust:

One key factor influencing vaccination rates in Africa is community acceptance and trust in the healthcare system. The introduction of patches can help overcome the fear and hesitations often associated with needle-based vaccinations, especially among parents and caregivers. By providing a more child-friendly and less intimidating approach, patches have the potential to enhance community acceptance and trust in vaccination programs, Hence positive perception can lead to increased demand for immunization services, resulting in higher coverage rates and improved disease control.

Improved Efficiency and Cost-effectiveness:

Patches offer advantages in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the simplified application process, and reduced need for trained healthcare personnel, patches can streamline vaccination campaigns, especially in resource-limited settings. The time and resources saved in training and administration can be redirected towards reaching more communities and ensuring broader coverage. Additionally, the elimination of syringe-related costs, such as procurement, disposal, and sharps management, can lead to cost savings and more sustainable immunization programs.

Mitigation of Outbreak Risks:

Recent outbreaks, such as the one in Malawi, highlight the urgency of swift and effective response strategies. The use of patches in outbreak response activities can facilitate faster and broader immunization coverage, reducing the risk of disease transmission. By overcoming logistical challenges, such as cold chain requirements and syringe availability during emergency campaigns, patches can ensure a rapid and efficient response, mitigating the impact of outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations.

SOHICOHE - Takeoff:

The forecasted impact of adopting patches over syringes in Africa, with a specific focus on Tanzania, is highly promising. The increased vaccination coverage, enhanced community acceptance, improved efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, as well as the potential to mitigate outbreak risks, position patches as a valuable tool in strengthening immunization programs. As African countries, including Tanzania, continue their efforts to achieve universal immunization coverage, embracing innovative approaches like patches can play a vital role in saving lives, protecting communities, and advancing public health outcomes.

Reference: 

• Abdallah, H. A., Kapologwe, N. A., & Kibusi, S. M. (2022). Routine childhood immunization service readiness and uptake in the selected border District councils of Tanzania: A cross-sectional study.

• El-Ghany, A., & Wafaa, A. (2022). Mange in Rabbits: An Ectoparasitic Disease with a Zoonotic Potential. Veterinary Medicine International, 2022.

• Ellison, T. J., Talbott, G. C., & Henderson, D. R. (2023). Intradermal delivery of a quadrivalent cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine using an adjuvanted skin patch vaccination platform. Vaccine, 41(2), 304–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.006

• Fu, H., Abbas, K., Malvolti, S., Gregory, C., Ko, M., Amorij, J.-P., & Jit, M. (2023). Impact and cost-effectiveness of measles vaccination through microarray patches in 70 low-and middle-income countries: A modeling study. MedRxiv, 2023.03. 10.23287067.

• Ko, M., Malvolti, S., Cherian, T., Mantel, C., Biellik, R., Jarrahian, C., Menozzi-Arnaud, M., Amorij, J.-P., Christiansen, H., & Papania, M. J. (2023). Estimating the future global dose demand for measles–rubella microarray patches. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1037157.

• Mahende, M. (2022). Implementation Study to evaluate the effectiveness of routine health services on delivering intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in infants in Southern Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 23.

• Romore, I. (2015). The policy development process for introducing new malaria interventions in Tanzania: The case of Malaria vaccine RTS, S. University_of_Basel.

• Scarnà, T., Menozzi-Arnaud, M., Friede, M., DeMarco, K., Plopper, G., Hamer, M., Chakrabarti, A., Gilbert, P. A., Jarrahian, C., & Mistilis, J. (2023). Accelerating the development of vaccine microarray patches for epidemic response and equitable immunization coverage requires investment in microarray patch manufacturing facilities. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery just accepted.

• Secor, A. M., Mtenga, H., Richard, J., Bulula, N., Ferriss, E., Rathod, M., Ryman, T. K., Werner, L., & Carnahan, E. (2022). Added Value of Electronic Immunization Registries in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: Observational Case Study in Tanzania. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 8(1), e32455.

• Shen, N., Wei, W., Chen, Y., Liu, S., Xiong, L., Xiao, J., Gu, X., Xie, Y., Xu, J., & Jing, B. (2023). Vaccination with a cocktail vaccine elicits significant protection against Sarcoptes scabiei in rabbits, whereas the multi-epitope vaccine offers limited protection. Experimental Parasitology, 245, 108442.