Emory University and Micron Biomedical have started enrolling participants in a new clinical trial that could change how vaccines are delivered. The study will test a rotavirus vaccine, called CC24, using a small, dissolvable patch instead of a needle or oral dose. It’s the first time the CDC has sponsored a trial using this kind of patch technology.
Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of severe diarrhea in young children, especially in countries where current oral vaccines aren’t always as effective. CC24 is an inactivated version of the virus, developed by the CDC to offer another option for protection.
The patch, created by Micron Biomedical, delivers the vaccine painlessly through the skin using tiny dissolvable points. It doesn’t require cold storage, generates no sharps waste, and can be self-administered with a simple press, making it easier to transport and use, especially in places with limited healthcare infrastructure.
Researchers hope this method will make vaccines more accessible and easier to use, especially for people who are afraid of needles or live in areas where traditional delivery methods are a challenge. The trial, which involves 50 healthy adults, will help assess the safety and effectiveness of both the vaccine and the patch.
This approach builds on earlier studies using the same technology for flu and other diseases, and could open the door to new ways of delivering vaccines more widely and comfortably, both in the U.S. and around the world.
Article written by EurekAlert team
16/06/2025
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EurekAlert