No More Fear: Needle-Free Vaccines for kids
Summary: Kids in Nagpur no longer have to fear the prick of a needle. A new needle-free injection technique is now being used for child vaccinations, making the process smoother and safer for everyone.
A Child-Friendly Breakthrough in Paediatric Vaccination
It is a known fact that most young children fear injections. The fear of the piercing needle, the clenching of mummy’s hand, make the children dread the idea of going to the doctor for any ailments that they may be having.
Good news for the children of Nagpur – a new needle-less injection technique has arrived.
Dr Avinash Gawande, who is Senior paediatrician and medical superintendent of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur, has begun using needle-free injections for routine child vaccinations, w.e.f. July 26. This is a critical step for health care making it child-friendly.
Dr Gawande says that this new technique is a revolution for paediatric immunization in the healthcare domain. This removes the fear, trauma and pain associated with injections.
How the Needle-Free Injection Works
This needle-less injection looks similar to a hand-held gun, which pushes the medicine in the skin due to the high-pressure stream of air, which does not require a needle. This new device protects the damage to the skin tissue and there is no swelling, as was the case with regular syringe needles.
The health care workers are protected from contracting infections like HIV or hepatitis by accidentally pricking themselves, as there is no needle involved!
This technology is barely 6-9 months old and Nagpur has been one of the first cities to welcome it. It can be said that over 90% of paediatric immunizations can be done using this technique.
Higher Acceptance, Early Adoption, and Future Potential
This technique will increase the number of paediatric immunizations as the children will co-operate more, given the no-pain, no-prick injection devices.
resently this technique is being used on children aged 6 months and above. Trials are underway for younger infants in the age group 6 weeks to 6 months, and positive results may be expected soon.
The cost per device is Rs.200/- to Rs.300/- more than the traditional needle injections, but there is a possibility of the cost reducing as this technology becomes more popularly used.
This device is best used for giving vaccinations and fluid-based medication to children. Truly a remarkable leap for healthcare.
Inputs from various media sources.
