Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine gets approval

iNCOVACC (BBV154) an intranasal vaccine against coronavirus received approval from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under Restricted Use in Emergency Situation.

Details:

iNCOVACC has been specifically formulated to allow intranasal delivery through nasal drops
Product development and clinical trials were funded in part by the Government of India.
The iNCOVACC has got approval for Restricted Use in Emergency Situations for all adults in India, for heterologous booster doses.

Heterologous booster vaccine: In heterologous boosting, a person is injected with a different vaccine from that was used for the primary dose.

About iNCOVACC:

Developed by: The vaccine was developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) in partnership with Washington University, St Louis.
Working: It is a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a prefusion stabilized spike protein.
- It uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus which cannot replicate in the body to carry Covid spike protein to induce immunity.
- It triggers a response in the blood (B-cells: IgG and T-cells) by producing antibodies or seeking out and destroying the infected cells.
- It also triggers the B cells that reside around mucosal tissues to make another type of antibody, called IgA. It plays a large role in destroying airway pathogens.
Usage: This vaccine will be used for primary immunization against COVID-19 in the 18+ age group for restricted use in emergency situations.
Storage: iNCOVACC is stable at 2-8°C for easy storage and distribution.

Intranasal Administration

For intranasal administration, the vaccine is sprayed into the nostrils and inhaled nasally.
- An intranasal vaccine stimulates a broad immune response thus, neutralizing IgG, mucosal IgA, and T-cell responses.
- Immune responses at the site of infection (in the nasal mucosa) are essential for blocking both infection and transmission of COVID-19.
According to experts, an intranasal vaccine can fight against the virus even before it tries to cross the body’s protective barrier.

Drawbacks of Nasal Vaccine

There is very little evidence to back the effectiveness of the nasal route of delivery.
A nasal Vaccine in the case of polio has caused disease after the weakened virus in the product got mutated.
Despite theoretical advantages, the intranasal approach to vaccination is largely unproven.
The concept has been tested quite extensively in animals, but on humans.

Benefits of iNCOVACC: