Researchers this month are testing a new COVID-19 vaccine patch that they hope will provide long-lasting protection against the virus.
Researchers said Wednesday that the PepGNP-COVID-19 vaccine is in an early-study phase, as the technology works in a much different way than actual vaccines, The Hill reports.
Instead of producing an antibody response, the patch focuses on cellular immunity by targeting T-cells that could eliminate the virus and prevent it from spreading in the body.
It works by putting a patch with microneedles on the individual and then removing it.
"With this new vaccine that generates this cellular immunity we hope to have a longer period of protection…we don't know yet, but it could be one year, two years, three years," Professor Blaise Genton, head of the study, told Reuters.
The concept was developed by Emergex Vaccines Holding Ltd., and the trial will be conducted through Unisanté medical research center in Switzerland.
26 candidates will receive two patches, with the second one being slightly stronger. The candidates will then be tracked for six months.
