Amidst the recent covid scare, the government of India has launched provisions and announced the nasal vaccine Incovacc, as COVID precautions. The vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech is the world's first needleless jab. It will be delivered through the nose.
Incovacc can be administered to all above the age of 18 years and will work as a booster dose. According to a NDTV report, Incovacc is a heterologous booster dose and people who have earlier taken Covishield or Covaxin shots can get this Covid nasal vaccine as a booster shot. However, it is only available in private vaccination centres at the moment.
As per a TOI report, this vaccine will be delivered twice through the nose and there should be a gap of four weeks between the first and second doses. Eight drops, i.e., four per nostril will be administered in each dose.
Incovacc remains stable between a temperature range of 2–8-degree Celsius. As mentioned earlier, it will be available only in private hospitals for now and there is no confirmation on the price point of this vaccine yet.
Bharat Biotech advocates this nasal vaccine by stating that it is not only good for people who are afraid of needles but in addition, the nasal route has great potential for vaccination due to the organised immune systems of the nasal mucosa. Along with that it eliminates the risk and infections that needles can cause. An added benefit is the fact that since it is so simple to administer, the vaccination doesn’t require trained health workers.
The vaccine phase 3 trial was done on 3000 people and they showed good immunity after being given two doses four weeks apart. Headache, fever, running nose and sneezing are possible side effects of Incovacc.
Here’s how you book an online appointment for the same:
You can book a slot for the Incovacc Covid Nasal Vaccine Booster through the same Cowin portal which was used to book slots for COVID vaccination earlier or click here https://www.cowin.gov.in.
1. Sign in to Cowin website with your registered phone number. You’ll have to enter the OTP you receive on your mobile phone to authenticate the login.
2. Schedule and look for the private vaccination centre. You can search via Pincode or district name.
3. Choose the closest centre to your place. Also, pick the preferred date and time for the appointment.
4. Confirm the slot.