Russian Team Creates Pain-Free Intradermal Vaccine with Microneedle Applicator
A collaborative effort by Russian scientists and entrepreneurs has produced a syringe attachment that delivers vaccines intradermally without directly stimulating nerve endings or blood vessels. The goal is to make injections nearly painless, a claim shared by the National Technology Initiative Platform’s press service via socialbites.ca.
Estimations from the team indicate that billions of people experience some discomfort during injections, and about 10 percent show a strong needle phobia. Among children, the figure climbs to more than 25 percent. The design presents a calm, nonthreatening experience: a flat, glossy surface with a touch of texture. The microneedles are designed not to reach nerve endings or blood vessels in the skin. They are kept to a maximum length of 350 microns, which, according to project lead Konstantin Pevchikh, makes the process painless.
The device is an attachment for a standard syringe. When engaged, the microneedles carry the medicine into the skin. NTI notes that researchers globally have long explored intradermal vaccination. Evidence suggests intradermal delivery can be more efficient at scale than traditional methods, though widespread adoption has been hampered by the handling challenges of conventional needles.
The developers highlight that intradermal vaccination can cut the required antigen dose by roughly three to five times for many vaccines while preserving the immune response. In practical terms, this means less drug is needed without sacrificing effectiveness. The system also tackles needle anxiety by offering a painless experience, and the potential cost savings from reduced dosing are likely to surpass the expense of using a more advanced delivery platform for most drugs with molecular weights up to 1 megadalton (MDa).
Beyond therapeutic use, the technology shows promise in cosmetology, including injections of hyaluronic acid. Early results indicate cosmetic outcomes on par with traditional needle methods, with noticeable increases in both epidermal and dermal thickness following treatment.
The team has secured a patent for the microneedle production process and plans to patent the applicator model later in the year. After the initial patent, work is set to progress on an enhanced version featuring controlled dosing and adjustable delivery rates to support broader clinical application.
In related context, researchers have highlighted health risks linked to asymptomatic heart conditions, underscoring the importance of early detection and proactive management to reduce long-term cognitive risk. This backdrop reinforces the value of safer, more comfortable methods for delivering vaccines and therapeutics. [citation: NTI Platform, via socialbites.ca]