The team tested a high-density microarray patch developed by biotechnology company Vaxxas and found that - when tested in mice - it was more effective at neutralising Covid-19 variants than injections.
“The high-density microarray patch is a vaccine delivery platform that precisely delivers the vaccine into the layers of the skin which are rich in immune cells,” said UQ’s Dr Christopher McMillan.
“We found that vaccination via a patch was approximately 11 times more effective at combatting the Omicron variant when compared with the same vaccine administered via a needle.
“So far, every vaccine type we have tested through the patch, including subunit, DNA, inactivated virus and conjugate produces superior immune responses compared to traditional needle vaccination methods.”
Currently available vaccines may not be as effective because of the constantly emerging new variants of Covid-19.
“This decreased effectiveness was highlighted by the Omicron variant...