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India, China now have needle-less COVID-19 vaccine options

However, it may be months — if not a year or more — before any may be available in the U.S.

CLEVELAND — Both India and China now have new types of COVID-19 vaccines, but they're different than what you might expect: One is a nasal squirt, the other is inhaled through the mouth. 

Regulators in India authorized Bharat Biotech's nasal version today, but it's only for those who have not yet been vaccinated. Additionally, the company did not yet release results of the efficacy shown in studies or when it might be available.

In China, CanSino Biologics said Sunday regulators approved an inhaled version of their injected COVID vaccine to be used as a booster dose. The company says preliminary studies show the inhaled version boosted the immune system after just one puff, similar to how asthma medications work. 

Once again, though, there is no word yet on efficacy or when it might be available.  

There are at least a dozen nasal vaccines being researched for COVID-19, and a handful have reached phase 3 clinical trials. However, it may be months — if not a year or more — before any may be available in the U.S.

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