Russia Tests Nose Spray Version Of COVID-19 Vaccine For Children

JAKARTA - Russia is testing a nasal spray version of the COVID-19 vaccine suitable for children aged 8-12 years and plans to launch the new product in September, the scientist who led the development of the Sputnik V vaccine said Saturday, June 12.

Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya Institute that developed the Sputnik V, said the spray for children uses the same vaccine "only instead of a needle, but a nasal spray," the TASS news agency reported.

The children's vaccine is expected to be ready for distribution by September 15, Gintsburg was quoted as saying during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

The research group tested the vaccine on children aged 8-12 years and found no side effects among the groups tested, including no increase in body temperature, Gintsburg said in comments carried by TASS.

"We're vaccinating our little (patient) through the nose, we're just giving the same vaccine as a nasal spray," he said, without giving further details on the number of children involved in the study.