The little patch that could

NIH comments on Georgia Tech's incredible invention


The invention made national headlines in late June 2017, and for good reason: A clinical study conducted by Emory and Georgia Tech showed that a microneedle vaccination patch safely generated the same immunity against influenza as the annual flu shot from hypodermic needles.

The patch — invented at Georgia Tech and now being brought to market by GRA Ventures company Micron Biomedical — has advantages over standard injection needles. The needles are so tiny, you don't feel the shot. They hold a dry version of the vaccination which can be better stored and transported.

And the patch can be self-administered — moving us closer to the day when we can "order" a flu shot on the internet and give it to ourselves right at home.