Clinical studies assessing immunogenicity and safety of intradermally administered influenza vaccines

Abstract

In the authors' opinion, intradermal vaccination can be considered an equally immunogenic, safe and feasible alternative to intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccination. The future looks promising because of the recent development of new intradermal vaccine delivery devices.

Laser vaccine adjuvants

“…There has been a growing interest in targeting vaccines to the skin due to the potential for the skinbased immune system to yield protective immune responses with smaller amounts of vaccine antigen. [22][23][24] Vaccination at this epithelial surface can effectively prime the body to respond to pathogens 22,23,[25][26][27][28] and induce a robust recall immune response. [29][30][31] The intradermal route of vaccination appears to be more effective than the conventional intramuscular route for many vaccines including influenza vaccines 22,23,26,28 and hepatitis B vaccines.…”

Assessment of acceptability and usability of new delivery prototype device for intradermal vaccination in healthy subjects

“…For intradermal (ID) vaccination the Mantoux technique is considered the gold standard and is currently used for administration of Bacille Calmette-Gu erin and rabies vaccines. 1,2 The technique requires insertion of the needle, bevel upwards, almost parallel to the skin surface after which the vaccine is injected slowly into the dermal layer of the skin. 3,4 The method is however difficult to standardize, requires training and is perceived as painful by vaccinees.…”

“…3,4 The method is however difficult to standardize, requires training and is perceived as painful by vaccinees. [1][2][3]5,6 For intradermal influenza vaccination, the ID microneedle system Soluvia TM (Becton-Dickinson; registered as Intanza/Fluzone by Sanofi Pasteur) is currently commercially available and used.…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Studies have shown that for some vaccines ID administration can induce a higher or equal immunogenicity compared to IM, especially in people with lower immunogenicity, such as elderly. 2,6,9,10 Some studies have shown that 1/5 of the amount of antigen required for IM vaccination elicited similar immunogenic responses with ID administration; such dose-saving potential could be an important economic argument when facing expensive antigens or limited antigen production capacity [2][3][4]6,[9][10][11][12] . When production of vaccine antigen is under time-pressure or in case of production capacity problems the dose-saving potential could also lead to improved mass vaccination in high-risk populations or in pandemic situations.…”

“…People with needle phobia, estimated at 3.5-10% of the population, 16 as well as children could also profit from the availability of such ID-devices because of increased vaccine acceptance. 2,3,[5][6][7]10,14,17,18 However, currently few devices allowing vaccination via the ID route are commercially available (e.g. Soluvia TM , MicronJet TM or needle-free injection systems), while some prototypes are in development (e.g., vaccine patch, coated, dissolving or solid microneedles).…”