What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a sound or vibrations on a pitch that humans cannot hear, commonly used for medical imaging. Ultrasound scanners are generally used to see inside the human body. For example, doctors use ultrasound scans to see the unborn baby inside the body of a pregnant woman.
Scientists at the University of Oxford, led by Darcy Dunn-Lawless, discovered a new way to give vaccines without needles. They use ultrasound to put the vaccine through the skin.
He recently presented the research during a conference held in Sydney, Australia.
What is the process of delivering vaccines through ultrasound?
Scientists mixed vaccine molecules with tiny cup-shaped proteins. They applied this liquid mixture to mice's skin and used ultrasound on them for a while.
The ultrasound pushed the vaccine into the upper skin layers. Proteins allowed bubbles filled with the vaccine to form. As the ultrasound continued, these bubbles burst, releasing the vaccine and removing some dead skin cells. This helped more vaccine molecules get through.
Unlike needles injecting vaccines deep into muscles, this new method puts the vaccine in the upper skin layers. Researchers say it's enough for vaccination. Tests on mice showed some good results.
What are the test results?
The ultrasound method, tested on live mice, delivered fewer vaccine molecules compared to normal injections. However, the mice produced more antibodies without signs of pain or skin damage.
This new way can help people who are scared of needle injections. Even though the early results are good, scientists are being careful about possible side effects. They need to figure out how much ultrasound is safe for delivering vaccines without hurting our bodies. So, more research is needed before using this method on people.
