West Pharmaceutical Services (NYSE:WST) touted results today from a study showing that its ID Adapter can improve the intradermal administration of polio vaccines.

The study, published in the journal Vaccine, evaluated the feasibility of using a fractional inactivated polio virus vaccine in remote locations where polio outbreaks continue to be of serious concern to public health officials.

Previous work has shown that a 20% fractional dose of intradermal IPV is just as effective as a full dose of intramuscular IPV. West’s ID Adapter helps to guide the angle and limit the depth of needle insertion in intradermal administration of a drug, the company said.

In this study, West’s ID Adapter was used with a staked needle syringe from Helm Medical Gmbh.

“We are pleased that our ID Adapter performed so well in this critical research study that addresses a vital medical need,” Karen Flynn, West’s SVP & CCO, said in prepared remarks. “West is proud to offer a solution that can help improve the reliability and performance of intradermal injections while also extending the limited supply of IPV.”

The study, which was conducted in Pakistan, compared the usability and immune response of intradermal fractional IPV administration in kids ages 6-12 months with two novel intradermal adapters – one of which was developed by West.

In the second part of the study, the researchers assessed the feasibility of a door-to-door vaccination campaign to give the intradermal IPV to kids under five years old.

The team found that the immune response achieved with one dose of IPV administered using Helm’s syringe and West’s ID Adapter was similar to the response achieved by a fractional IPV administered with a needle and syringe.

The researchers also reported that intradermal IPV can be used for primary immunization and as an alternative to full-dose IPV.

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