The Government of India has announced the nasal vaccine Incovacc, as part of its preparedness against the renewed COVID-19 scare. The new COVID vaccine is the world’s first needless jab and will be delivered through the nose. Developed by Bharat Biotech, the nasal Vaccine can be administered to all individuals above 18 years. The intranasal vaccine will work as a booster dose and be available in private vaccination centres for now. The vaccine slot can be booked online through the same Cowin portal, which offered Covishield and Covaxin shots.
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How to book nasal vaccine booster dose online
In order to book nasal vaccine online, fire up your browser and visit the CoWIN portal. Alternatively, click on the link that follows https://www.cowin.gov.in
- Now, login with your registered mobile number
- Look for the schedule option
- Search for the private vaccination centre, using either the Pincode or district name
- Select the centre, which is nearest to you
- Choose your preferred date and time for nasal Vaccine booster shot
- Confirm to book your slot for the vaccination
Cowin will start online booking of the nasal vaccine by Friday evening, per the government order.
“The government of India has approved the Nasal vaccine. It will be used as a heterologous booster and will be available first in private hospitals. It will be included in Covid vaccination program from today,” official sources said.
Who can get COVID-19 nasal vaccine?
As stated above, individuals above 18 years can be administered the nasal COVID vaccine Incovacc. NDTV reports that the vaccine is a heterologous booster dose, meaning both Covishield and Covaxin can take the nasal vaccine.
Per Times of India, the nasal vaccine is to be delivered through the nose twice; however, there must be a gap of four weeks between the first and second doses. A total of 8 drops (0.5ml), four in each nostril, are to be administered per dose. The vaccine is stable at 2-8-degree celsius.
What’s the price of the nasal vaccine in India?
iNNOVACC®️ is now available on CoWin, priced at INR 800 for Private Markets and INR 325 for Governments
— DD News (@DDNewslive) December 27, 2022
Read more: https://t.co/zv8593812e @MoHFW_INDIA @BharatBiotech pic.twitter.com/yS0cpOZCCk
The nasal vaccine Incovacc will reportedly cost Rs 800 + 5 percent GST + Hospital charges per dose in private hospitals. In the government vaccination centres, the vaccine is said to be priced at Rs 325.
What are the advantages of nasal vaccine?
Creator Bharat Biotech, which has also developed Covaxin, has listed the following advantages of the nasal vaccine Incovacc:
- For starters, it is great for people who are afraid of needles since the nasal vaccine delivery process is non-invasive and needle-free
- The nasal route has excellent potential for vaccination due to the organised immune systems of the nasal mucosa
- Eliminates risks and infections associated with needles
- Due to the simplicity of the delivery mechanism, the vaccine does not require trained healthcare workers
Incovacc nasal vaccine trials, side effects, approval, and more
- Incovacc nasal vaccine phase 3 trial was done on 3000 participants where it showed good immunity following two doses four weeks apart
- Headache, fever, running nose, and sneezing are likely side effects of the vaccine, while severe allergic reactions were rare
- Per the company, individuals with severe allergic reactions to any ingredients of the vaccine, had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine, and have an acute fever or infection should refrain themselves from taking the nasal vaccine dose.
- The needle-free vaccine received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India in November; however, its use was restricted to emergency situations only.
- Bharat Biotech has claimed there is no chance of COVID-19 post-immunisation with Incovacc
