Clinical trials have shown that an inhaled COVID-19 vaccine made by China is safe and effective, according to a study published on Monday in The Lancet, a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal.

Led by Chen Wei and her research team from the Academy of Military Sciences, this is the first clinical trial containing data of COVID-19 vaccine by the mucosal route. Research results recognized the safety of the inhaled COVID-19 vaccine.

The research suggested that aerosol vaccination with a fifth of the intramuscular dose could trigger a similar cellular immune response to that of one dose of intramuscular injections, and an aerosolized booster vaccination after intramuscular injection could induce strong neutralizing antibody responses.

According to the expert, the only difference between the inhaled vaccine and the injectable vaccine that has already hit the market will be the way of vaccination. The formulation prescription of the vaccine, the packaging, and the production facilities will be identical.

Meanwhile, the inhaled vaccine can also significantly improve the immunization effects of vaccinated people and protect them from the new COVID-19 variant. All these advantages make it suitable for mass vaccination.

Started in September 2020, this clinical trial was jointly conducted by researchers from the Institute of Military Medicine under the Academy of Military Sciences and Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, and is at its second phase of clinical trials.