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At this time of year, I remind my patients constantly about the critical need for immunizations. I’m especially focused on my older patients, as the immune system naturally becomes less responsive with age, requiring those vaccines to “wake it up” to threats.
I also worry about individuals with chronic medical conditions, anyone fighting cancer, living with HIV, or dealing with heart disease, diabetes, lung, kidney, or liver problems, or hypertension. For these patients, contracting an illness poses an increased and unnecessary risk. We are talking about vaccines for influenza, the COVID booster, Pneumonia, RSV and Shingles.
I hear a variety of responses to this push. Some patients are anti-vaccine for reasons they can’t articulate. Others object to injecting substances into their bodies. Still, others are simply fearful of needles, admitting they would jump at an alternative delivery method.
Well, things are starting to look up for the needle-averse.
Recent studies have been investigating an alternative method of administering the vaccine through the skin. Researchers have found that a gentle massage to the skin for a few minutes—around 20—can open up the cells and make them responsive to the massaging of the vaccine into the body.
The study, initially performed in rats, yielded impressive results. The immune response generated by the massage-delivered vaccine was comparable to that produced by a standard intramuscular injection.
It was interesting how this idea was generated. Scientists noted that babies who received frequent massages were also found to have a higher incidence of food allergies. The theory is that tiny food residues on the parents’ hands were able to penetrate the massaged skin, and the body, recognizing the food as a foreign agent, generated an allergic response.
Now, before you approach your healthcare provider requesting a back rub with your next flu shot, a few details still need to be resolved.
First, human trials are mandatory. While scientists are optimistic that this method will work, we must be absolutely sure when administering a potentially life-saving vaccine. Second, current vaccines must be modified to ensure they are absorbed efficiently enough through the skin to be effective.
While you may have to wait a bit longer for this needle-free future, these studies suggest a major and welcome change is coming for immunization technology.
Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.
