East China's Shanghai has started administering an inhalable COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose. /CanSino Biologics
East China's Shanghai has started administering an inhalable COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose from Wednesday, according to the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality.
Developed by Chinese company CanSino Biologics, the aerosolized adenovirus type-5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) provides a non-invasive option. It uses a nebulizer to change liquid into aerosol for inhalation through the mouth, according to the company.
The aerosolized adenovirus type-5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine. /CanSino Biologics
The company said on its official WeChat account that the vaccine can "effectively induce comprehensive immune protection in response to SARS-CoV-2 after just one breath."
It can "induce strong humoral, cellular and mucosal immunity to achieve triple protection," the company added.
Compared with intramuscular injection, the inhalable vaccine requires only one-fifth of its dosage. It can only be used as a booster dose for now, and adults aged 18 years and above can choose this vaccine as an alternative.
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