Redesigning Vaccine Delivery: Microneedle Vaccination for COVID-19 and Influenza

Microneedles (MNs) are an effective vaccination strategy for contagious diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza that require frequent vaccination due to frequent mutations. This presentation will address the limitations of the conventional methods of vaccination and will highlight the benefits of MN vaccines with supporting primary data. Here, the vaccine antigens were entrapped in a polymer matrix to form microparticles (MPs) and then formulated into vaccine-loaded quick-dissolving MNs. The preparation and in vitro characterization studies of the microneedles, such as size, shape, dissolvability, mechanical strength, loading efficiency, in vitro pore formation, and in vivo pore formation/fluorescence tracking study in a murine model will be presented. In vivo studies include the assessment of virus-specific antibody responses (IgG, IgA, IgG1, IgG2a) obtained following vaccination of mice with MN vaccines. In conclusion, the study yielded excellent responses following MN vaccination for both COVID-19 and Influenza.