India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched iNCOVACC, the world’s first government-approved intranasal Covid-19 vaccine, for a primary two-shot schedule four weeks apart as well as a booster dose for those who have earlier taken Covaxin or Covishield.
According to Durgesh Nandan Jha, it was created by Bharat Biotech International Limited and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance, a PSU. Vaccine utilises a vector-based platform that can be easily updated with emerging variants making quick large-scale production easy. It will be initially available in some private hospitals and later at government-approved centres.
In contrast to the already available injectable Covid-19 vaccinations, iNCOVACC must be given twice, four weeks apart. There should be an administration of eight drops (total 0. 5 ml each dose), four drops into each nostril.
The CoWin app, which serves as the registration system for vaccinations in India, already includes the nasal vaccine. "For private facilities, the cost of the vaccination has been set at Rs 800 per dosage. The vaccine will cost Rs 325 per dosage when purchased in large quantities by the federal and state governments, according to an official.
The administration of iNCOVACC does not require syringes, needles, alcohol wipes, bandage, thus reduces expenses associated to procurement, distribution, storage and biomedical waste disposal, which are required for injectable vaccines, the health ministry said.
