Intradermal Injections Aren’t for the Faint-Hearted

Hi, it’s Dong in London. Supplies of the world’s only approved vaccine for monkeypox are running low, and countries from the US to the UK recommend stretching available doses by using intradermal injections. But there are risks, and the use of small doses isn’t even recommended by the vaccine maker. Before we get to that, let’s have a look at some other news...

Intradermal injections are the new buzz word in monkeypox vaccination campaigns around the world, but they're not for the faint-hearted.

The bifurcated needle is inserted between layers of skin only millimeters thick, the patient can see the tip as it enters the forearm, and a bleb, or small blister, forms as the substance is injected. While the method is safe, it’s less common, can cause more localized reactions, and some health-care professionals could need more than one attempt to get it right.