Trial begins for needle-free Covid vaccine targeting new variants

A trial has begun for a new needle-free Covid-19 vaccine to protect against future variants of the virus.

The vaccine, administered through a jet of air, has been developed by Prof Jonathan Heeney of Cambridge University and chief executive of DIOSynVax.

Participants, aged between 18 and 50 years old, will take part at the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility.

Prof Heeney said: "As new variants emerge and immunity begins to wane we need newer technologies."

The vaccine, DIOS-CoVax, uses different technology to fight the disease which could provide much broader protection against Covid variants and other coronaviruses, he said.

"It's vital that we continue to develop new generation vaccine candidates ready to help keep us safe from the next virus threats," he added.