Microneedles can be prepared as a low-cost patch that is simple for patients to apply for vaccine delivery targeting the many antigen-presenting cells present in the skin. Data regarding the safety, reactogenicity, tolerability, and acceptability of a microneedle patch in children are lacking. The goal of this study is to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity, and acceptability of placement of a placebo microneedle patch to the skin of children.
Available vaccine delivery methods include intramuscular or subcutaneous injection are limited by patient needle phobia and the need for trained medical personnel. Alternative routes of vaccination that avoid hypodermic needles have previously been poorly immunogenic, require live vaccines, utilize bulky devices and/or are unsuitable for self-administration. Novel vaccine delivery methods such as microneedles can render vaccination easier and more acceptable to the public by simplifying vaccine access. Microneedles are micron-scale needles that administer vaccine directly into the skin using a simple minimally invasive approach without generating sharps waste. This study is designed to investigate the safety, reactogenicity, and acceptability of a placebo microneedle patch in children.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
33
Microneedle patches will be made of solid conical structures made of water-soluble excipients that from the Food and Drug Administration's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list and/or on the FDA list of inactive ingredients in approved products. The total mass of excipients delivered by placebo microneedle patch will be \<1.5 mg. The adhesive backing component is made from hypoallergenic material (commercial medical tapes designed to adhere to skin). Microneedle patches will be administered topically by manual application to the skin. The sites of microneedle patch application will be cleaned with an alcohol swab and allowed to dry before the microneedle patch is applied. The microneedle patches will be packaged and provided as single patches.
Microneedle patches will be made of solid conical structures made of water-soluble excipients that from the Food and Drug Administration's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list and/or on the FDA list of inactive ingredients in approved products. The ratio of the excipients and excipients used will vary slightly from Formulation 1. The total mass of excipients delivered by placebo microneedle patch will be \<1.5 mg. The adhesive backing component is made from hypoallergenic material (commercial medical tapes designed to adhere to skin). Microneedle patches will be administered topically by manual application to the skin. The sites of microneedle patch application will be cleaned with an alcohol swab and allowed to dry before the microneedle patch is applied. The microneedle patches will be packaged and provided as single patches.
Emory Children's Center
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Number of Participants With Placebo Microneedle Patch-related Serious Adverse Events (SAE).
To evaluate safety following application of the patch topically, microneedle patch-related serious adverse events were recorded. Information collected included event description, date of onset, severity and date of resolution/stabilization of the event. Severity and relationship to study product was assessed by the Investigator or sub-investigator.
Time frame: Day 1 through the Final Study Visit (Day 27 - 38)
Number of Participants With Grade 3 Placebo Microneedle Patch-related Solicited Adverse Events (AE).
The occurrence of Grade 3 solicited adverse events related to the placebo microneedle patch was recorded. Solicited adverse events were irritability (fussiness), lethargy (drowsiness), decreased appetite, vomiting, and fever. The severity of these adverse events was graded on a scale from 0 to 3 where 0 = not present and 3 = significant, preventing daily activity or a fever of \>102.1 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
Time frame: Up to Day 8 for Patch 1, Day 8 to Day 15 if received Patches 2 and 3
Number of Participants With Solicited Application Site Reactogenicity Events.
The occurrence of solicited reactogenicity events at the application site was recorded. The solicited reactogenicity events are reactions that are common or expected to occur with application of a microneedle patch and include induration/swelling, erythema, ecchymosis, itching, pain, and tenderness. The Legally Authorized Representatives (LARs) of participants were provided with a memory aid, thermometer and ruler to record the presence of solicited symptoms and oral temperature. Reactogenicity event details were collected via review of the subject's memory aid and by interview with the subject LAR. Reactogenicity events were graded on a scale from 0 (not present) to 3 (significant or severe).
Time frame: Up to Day 8 for Patch 1, Day 8 to Day 15 if received Patches 2 and 3
Number of Participants With Grade 3 Placebo Microneedle Patch-related Unsolicited Adverse Events
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Grade 3, patch-related unsolicited adverse events (AEs) were recorded. An adverse event is graded as Grade 3 if the event is significant or prevents daily activity.
Time frame: Day 1 through the Final Study Visit (Day 27 - 38)
Number of New-onset Medical Conditions (NOMC)
The number of new-onset medical conditions (NOMC) were recorded. NOMC were tabulated by overall and treatment related events.
Time frame: Day 1 through the Final Study Visit (Day 27 - 38).
Acceptability of Vaccination Methods
LARs were asked to state their preference for different methods of vaccine delivery, assuming that a vaccine patch were to be available in the next two years. LARs reported their preference for their child receiving 1) a vaccine by shot or nasal spray given by a healthcare worker, 2) a vaccine patch given by a healthcare worker, 3) a vaccine patch given by the LAR but monitored by a healthcare worker, or 4) a vaccine patch given by the LAR at home. LARs rated their preference on a scale from 0 (definitely not) to 10 (definitely so).
Time frame: Final Visit (Day 27 - 38)
Overall Experience
LARs were asked to report their overall experience with the study so far at each study visit related to Patch 1. Experiences were rated on a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 = very negative and 5 = very positive.
Time frame: Day 1, Day 2, Day 8, Final Visit (Day 27-38)