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Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine gets approval
Context
- 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:
- Likely to block both infection and transmission of COVID-19
- Non-invasive and needle-free
- Easy to administer as it does not require trained healthcare workers
- Eliminates needle-associated risks (injuries and infections)
- High compliance- ideally suits children and adults
- Scalable manufacturing- able to meet global demand.
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