New Delhi: Bharat Biotech’s intranasal COVID vaccine has been approved by the Union Health Ministry for inclusion in the vaccination programme as a booster dose for those above 18 years of age.
According to sources, the needle-free vaccine will be available at private centres and will be introduced on the Co-WIN platform on Friday evening.
Currently, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, Serum Institute’s Covishield and Covovax, Russian Sputnik V, and Biological E Ltd’s Corbevax are listed in the CoWin portal. On September 6, the vaccine maker announced that its iNCOVACC (BBV154), has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India under Restricted Use in Emergency Situations for ages 18 and above.
The approval for the vaccine comes amid a spurt in COVID cases in China and some other countries.
Besides, the central government is likely to issue a comprehensive advisory to states which may contain guidelines on following COVID-19 protocols like masking and social distancing, especially during New Year celebrations in public areas.
Also Read: Odisha To Resume Random COVID Testing Of Foreign Returnees From Tomorrow