We thought tattoos were just a way of expressing ourselves but it seems they could be so much more. Scientists in Germany have said that tattoos could be a great way of delivering vaccines into the body. After extensive research, their results showed that in tests undertaken mice, tattoos were the most effective way to provoke a response from the immune system.

They believe tattoos could be a way of delivering therapeutic vaccines in humans including some vaccines for cancers. These vaccines have failed to produce the immune response when delivered via injection.

We all know that tattoos use vibrating needles to deliver insoluble ink under the skin but the researchers are adamant that the same process could be used with vaccines, not ink.

On researcher behind this work, Dr Martin Mueller has said ‘the greater damage to the body caused by the tattoo needle may explain the better immune response.’

He went on to add that tattoo needles wouldn’t be suitable for use with preventative vaccines (such as measles) in children because it would cause far too much pain.

What do you make of this?

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