evidence: These findings are in line with the real-world evidence on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2, mRNA-1273) which describe higher reactogenicity in females compared with males38,39. [...] The platform used to develop GEMCOVAC-OM has certain advantages over the other mRNA vaccines approved for COVID-19. GEMCOVAC-OM is administered intradermally using a needle-free injection system called Tropis. The dermis has a rich network of dendritic cells, macrophages and T cells40. Vaccination into the dermis provides a more potent and broader immunogenic response than vaccinating into the muscle24. Additionally, the absence of a needle obviates challenges of need for sharps disposal, needle-stick injuries, cross-contamination and needle phobia. These advantages have translated into the field where vaccinators and caregivers expressed a preference for Tropis due to the ease of use, appearance, response to vaccination and increased coverage41. The device has been well characterized and approved by numerous regulatory bodies including the World Health Organization. Each Tropis device can inject up to 20,000 vaccines, and the additional cost of the device is negligible and outweighed by advantages. Thermostability is another critical factor in ensuring equitable access to effective mRNA vaccines in LMICs42. The degradation of mRNA in the presence of water, attributed to oxidation and hydrolysis43, required mRNA vaccines to be stored and transported at subzero temperatures. [...] Bozkurt, B. Shedding light on mechanisms of myocarditis with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Circulation147, 877–880 (2023).