If you have a phobia of syringes, here is some good news for you. University of Queensland scientists have tested a COVID-19 vaccine patch that delivers a pain-free dose and removes the need for cold chain transport. The study is published in the journal Science Advances which shows promising results.

The Australian-US team researchers developed the novel microneedle patch to deliver a COVID-19 DNA vaccine into the skin. The separable microneedle patch, which can be stored for over 30 days at room temperature, was found to induce strong immune responses in cells and mice.

How does the vaccine patch work?

The team used patches measuring one square centimeter that were dotted with more than 5,000 microscopic spikes.

These tips are coated with an experimental vaccine and the patch is clicked on with an applicator that resembles a hockey puck.

The researchers used a so-called ‘subunit’ vaccine that reproduces the spikes that dot the surface of the coronavirus.

Mice were injected either via the patch over the course of two minutes or with a syringe. The patches outperformed syringes.

The immune systems of those who got the patch produced high levels of neutralising antibodies after two doses including in their lungs.

A sub-group of mice were given only one dose containing an additional substance called an adjuvant used to spur immune response.

Vaccines are normally injected into the muscles, but muscle tissue doesn’t contain very many immune cells needed to react to the drug.

In addition, the tiny spikes cause localised skin death, which alerts the body to a problem and triggers a greater immune response.