Non-viral COVID-19 vaccine delivery systems

The novel corona virus termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread throughout the globe at a formidable speed, causing tens of millions of cases and more than one million deaths in less than a year of its report in December 2019. Since then, companies and research institutions have raced to develop SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, ranging from conventional viral and protein-based vaccines to those that are more cutting edge, including DNAand mRNA-based vaccines. Each vaccine exhibits a different potency and duration of efficacy, as determined by the antigen design, adjuvant molecules, vaccine delivery platforms, and immunization method. In this review, we will introduce a few of the leading non-viral vaccines that are under clinical stage development and discuss delivery strategies to improve vaccine efficacy, duration of protection, safety, and mass vaccination. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide, causing millions of cases and over a million deaths. Various types of vaccines, including traditional and advanced DNA and mRNA vaccines, are being developed. The efficacy and duration of protection of these vaccines depend on factors such as antigen design and delivery strategies, and further research is needed.