The patch has several advantages over needle injections - volunteers with minimal training can apply the patch, instead of doctors and nurses, and fridges for transporting and cold storage are no longer necessary. It also reduces people's fears over needles and the risk of injuries from them.

Even in countries such as the UK, where there is no shortage of these resources, the patches could be more convenient and attractive to some parents of young unvaccinated children, the researchers say.

The latest figures for England show measles cases rising, with a particular spike in recent weeks in London, where some areas have low measles vaccination rates.

In these communities, it takes only one child to catch measles for it to spread quickly, health experts warn.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab offers the best protection against measles.

Two doses by the time children start primary school are recommended but older children and adults can catch up on vaccines at any point.