(Yicai Global) June 4 -- China's first inhalation-based Covid-19 vaccine, which does not need needles or low storage temperatures, is applying for emergency use in the country, top epidemiologist Chen Wei said at the Pujiang Innovation Forum yesterday.

The Convidecia nasal spray vaccine, developed by vaccine maker CanSino Biologics and Chen’s home institution of the Institute of Bioengineering at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, uses the same formula as Tianjin-based CanSino’s recombinant coronavirus vaccine, and is atomized by a special device for nebulized inhalation, which is less painful than traditional intramuscular injections and more conducive to mass distribution.

It only needs one-fifth of a regular dose to stimulate immunity, is needle-free and does not need to be stored in special bottles or at ultra-low temperatures, Chen said.

The inhalation-based vaccine has reached Phase II clinical trials, Yu Xuefeng, chairman and chief executive officer of Tianjin-based CanSino, said on June 2.

The Chinese Academy of Engineering has also developed a separate vaccine that is effective against the Covid-19 variant first discovered in South Africa and is now applying for permission to start clinical trials, Chen said. This enhanced vaccine should be able to prevent other variants as well.

Editor: Kim Taylor