One day, perhaps very soon, the concept of the present dreaded and painful vaccinations will disappear! And, more interestingly, it could be replaced by as simple as sticking on a Band-Aid to do the same job!

This ’skin-patch vaccination’ is one version designed to protect against the flu and another to prevent travelers’ diarrhea. This is just not a pain-free vaccination idea, but also an initiative to strengthen today’s imperfect flu shots — which not only need perfection but also prevent many from taking it out of fear of the painful episodes. The National Institutes of Health is helping fund this patch research.

This would be easily used during a pandemic-triggering bird-flu or some other super-flu.