Prelims Bits » Incovacc: Intranasal Vaccine

Incovacc: Intranasal Vaccine

Recently, Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine, iNCOVACC gets DCGI nod for restricted emergency use.

Why in the News?

Recently, Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine, iNCOVACC gets DCGI nod for restricted emergency use.

Key Points:

About iNCOVACC:

  • It is a first covide vaccine which will be delivered through the nasal route.
  • Developed by: Bharat Biotech International Limited
  • It can be administered only to the unimmunised.
  • The vaccine uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus, which cannot replicate in the body, to carry the Covid spike protein to induce immunity.
  • Currently, Covishield, Covaxin and Corbevax are part of the Government’s Covid immunisation drive while vaccines like Covovax and Sputnik are available at private centres.

Significance: 

  • It protects against infection and reduce transmission of the virus.
  • It will do away with the need for needles and syringes.
  • Reduce dependence on trained personnel to administer the shots.
  • Stable at 2-8°C, which makes it easy to store and distribute.