Scientists developing a Covid-19 vaccine skin patch say the invention could revolutionise the coronavirus immunisation process by delivering it to people through the post and allowing them to “vaccinate” themselves by simply sticking it on their skin.

Experts at Lancaster University have developed a new Covid-19 vaccine which has shown highly promising results in animal trials and they are already working on a nasal spray method of delivery.

However, researchers have revealed they are now developing a patch version of the same vaccine which will have exciting implications if it proves successful in trials and is approved.

The vaccine is applied to the patches in powder form so there is no need for cold storage and it is stored at room temperature.

Although the vaccine patches are at an early stage of development, if trials prove their success, they will dramatically change the Covid-19 immunisation process as people can receive them in the post and “vaccinate themselves” without having to queue at a facility to have a jab administered.

The patch contains a powder form of the coronavirus vaccine, which is administered to the body through invisible micro-needles.

The needles are so small that this process is painless, and scientists describe the patch as being like a plaster. It needs to be left on for around 30 minutes.

Unlike many coronavirus vaccine injections, the patch does not need to be kept cold. This means the patches could be sent in the post to be administered at home.

But because the patches are stored at room temperature, they won’t be suitable for all vaccines; jabs such as Pfizer need to be kept in extremely cold temperatures so could not be distributed via the patch. 

The patch researchers are also producing a nasal spray form of their vaccine, and so far the results are promising.

During animal testing, researchers found that the spray stopped the animals shedding the virus – the process that causes transmission. Early research also suggested that this vaccine provides protection more quickly than the injections.

Dr Muhammad Munir, a virologist at Lancaster University, explained to i that the vaccine patches will have a groundbreaking effect on Covid-19 vaccines – not just in this country, but in developing countries where there is a shortage of people who can administer vaccines.

“It is like a plaster which has invisible micro-needles which are incredibly tiny and can’t be seen,” he said.

“You put it on the skin and it is painless.

“The plaster can be put on any part of the body as it just needs to be in contact with the skin.

“It only needs to be on there for about 30 minutes and then you peel it off and you will be vaccinated.”

Dr Munir says the vaccine developed by the Lancaster University team is stored at room temperature and that the patch technology will only be suitable for a few vaccines as many need cold storage.

“The greatest advantage of these patches will be the convenience. They can be shipped to someone in an envelope and all they have to do is put the patch on for a short time, then peel it off.

“It doesn’t need someone to administer it and people won’t have to go to a facility to get it. It will make the whole process of getting a Covid-19 jab a lot easier.

“The convenience will be a huge thing, not just for people in this country, but for developing countries where there are not as many trained people who can administer vaccines.”

The vaccine patch will also provide a great alternative to those who suffer from trypanophobia – a fear of needles.

While the vaccine – produced in chicken eggs in a similar way to the flu vaccine has been developed by the team at Lancaster University – the patches are made by a company in Wales. Pre-clinical animal trials are due to begin shortly to make sure the vaccine is stable and induces immunity in a patch form.

The vaccine is the same as the one the team has developed for the nasal spray which has already successfully tested on animals and researchers found it completely protected the animals from shedding the virus, which causes the transmission of it.

The trials also indicate the vaccine starts offering protection and working more quickly than vaccines injected into the body.

Dr Munir said: “We have already proved the vaccine works; now we need to trial it to see how it works in a patch form.

“The only disadvantage we can see is that it is relatively new technology, so there might be some hesitancy or resistance from some people.

“This is why we want to do all possible tests to make sure there are no unanswered questions before we give it to people.”

The nasal spray version of the vaccine will be trialled imminently on humans in Peru and the patches will enter animal trials on mice and hamsters before being tested on people.

Based on results and data, the team are hopeful both vaccines will be available in the UK later next year.

Dr Munir says that with first generation Covid-19 vaccinations, speed was the priority in developing vaccines that protect people. But he says second generation vaccines can learn from the data and be “better tamed” to deal with the virus.

“In animal experiments, our vaccine performed really well and the results were 200 to 300 times better than the AstraZeneca animal experiments, ” he said.

“We are hopeful this vaccine in patch and nasal form will be a huge success in protecting people against coronavirus.”

Tim Spector, lead scientist on the Zoe Covid symptom study app and professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College, London, has welcomed the alternative method of Covid-19 vaccines such as patches and nasal sprays.

“Broadening the way in which vaccines are given will give people more options and further reduce their excuses for not getting vaccinated.” he said.

“All alternative vaccine methods should be encouraged so they help increase the uptake of vaccinated people.”

He added the patches and nasal sprays would be particularly beneficial in developing countries where the supply of sterile needles might be low.

“We need to do whatever we can to find more ways to persuade people to get the Covid-19 vaccine and patches and nasal sprays might be better for children who are worried about needles.”

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