Bhopal: Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh launched the world’s first intranasal vaccine for COVID-19, iNCOVACC, developed by Bharat Biotech on Thursday, on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day.
It is the country’s first nasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.
iNCOVACC is a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre-fusion stabilised spike protein and has been developed by the homegrown vaccine maker in partnership with Washington University, St Louis. It has been specifically formulated to allow intranasal delivery through nasal drops.
It has already received official approval for use among people n the age group of 18 and above, and it will also be given as a heterologous booster dose. For those who have already got Covaxin and Covishield, the nasal vaccine can also be used as a heterologous booster dose.
The vaccine will be available to the government for Rs 325 per dose and will cost Rs 800 per shot at private hospitals. Two doses of the vaccine are to be given 28 days apart.
To book an appointment for the intranasal vaccine dose, visit CoWin website, NDTV quoted the vaccine maker as saying.
