Method of vaccine delivery via microneedle arrays
View Patent ↗A microprojection array is provided, comprising an approximately planar base and a plurality of microprojections, wherein the array comprises a vaccine and a polymeric material. The array may have multiple layers. The vaccine may be placed in only one layer. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of preventing a disease is provided, comprising insertion into the skin of a patient an array of microprojections comprising a layer which comprises a vaccine for that disease and a polymer.
1. A method of preventing a disease, comprising insertion into the skin of a patient an array of microprojections comprising a layer which comprises a vaccine for that disease and a polymer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vaccine is directed against anthrax, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, human papillomavirus, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, measles/mumps/rubella, meningococcal diseases, pneumococcal diseases, polio, rabies, rotavirus, shingles, smallpox, tetanus/diphtheria, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, typhoid, varicella, or yellow fever.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vaccine lacks an adjuvant.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microprojections are biodegradable at least in part.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microprojections are left in the skin for no more than 30 minutes.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the array is applied to the patient's skin by means of an applicator.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the applicator is spring-loaded.
8. A method of preventing a disease, comprising introducing into the skin at least about 50 discrete deposits comprising a vaccine for that disease and a polymer.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the discrete deposits are projections which form part of an array.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the projections detach from the array.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein each discrete deposit comprises at least about 0.05 ng of said vaccine.
12. The method of claim 8 , where the initial concentration of said vaccine in each discrete deposit is at least about 0.5% by weight.
13. The method of claim 8 , wherein where the initial concentration of said vaccine in each discrete deposit is at least about 5% by weight.
14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the polymer and the vaccine are mixed together within each deposit.
15. The method of claim 8 , wherein the discrete deposits are at a density no lower than about 50 deposits per cm 2 of skin surface.