Laser Light Boosts Flu Shot Effectiveness

Dec-14-13 By using laser light to increase the effectiveness of flu shots, researchers may have found an alternative to the chemicals currently used to give the shot a boost.

Currently, flu shots contain chemicals that trigger the body’s immune response in order to improve shot’s effectiveness (which the CDC admitted is only about 56 percent since the shots are developed for specific virus strains). Recently, however, researchers discovered that targeting the injection site with a low-power laser also triggers a powerful immune response that is more reliable than the chemical versions, and without side effects.

The method could be applied to other vaccinations, and the team is working to develop an easy-to-use handheld device for the procedure.

Image: Brian Hoskins

More Info about this Invention:

[DVICE.COM]
[MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL]

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