The Covid-19 pandemic has been a global crisis, with over 5 million deaths and more than 248 million confirmed cases worldwide. The world has been looking for ways to control the spread of the virus and reduce the number of deaths. Vaccines have been the most effective tool in controlling the pandemic, with millions of people vaccinated globally.

The traditional Covid-19 vaccines are given by injection, and they have been successful in reducing severe cases and deaths. However, there is a new vaccine, the nasal Covid-19 vaccine, which may have several advantages over traditional vaccines. This blog post aims to explain what the nasal Covid-19 vaccine is, how it works, its advantages, challenges, and its status.

Understanding the basics of the iNCOVACC

 

The nasal Covid-19 vaccine, iNCOVACC, is a new Indian vaccine developed to protect against the Covid-19 virus. Unlike the traditional Covid-19 vaccines, which are administered through injection, the iNCOVACC is administered through the nose. The vaccine uses a live attenuated virus modified to be less virulent. The vaccine contains a small amount of the Covid-19 virus, which helps the body recognize and fight the virus when exposed.

 

Nasal vaccines work differently from traditional vaccines. They stimulate an immune response in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, which is the site of entry for respiratory viruses like Covid-19. The immune response generated by nasal vaccines is similar to that of natural infections. The iNCOVACC has been developed to stimulate both the innate and adaptive immune responses to provide long-lasting protection against the Covid-19 virus.

 

The development of iNCOVACC has been based on years of research on live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV). LAIV is a nasal vaccine that has been used to protect against influenza for many years. The experience gained from LAIV has been applied to the development of iNCOVACC, which has been successful in preclinical trials.

Advantages of iNCOVACC

 

The nasal Covid-19 vaccine has several advantages over traditional Covid-19 vaccines. The main advantage is that it stimulates a local immune response in the nose and throat, which is the primary site of entry for respiratory viruses like Covid-19. The local immune response generated by nasal vaccines is thought to provide better protection against respiratory viruses than the systemic immune response generated by traditional vaccines.

 

Studies have shown that nasal vaccines can reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses from person to person. This is because the vaccine stimulates an immune response in the nose and throat, where the virus replicates and spreads. This reduces the amount of virus shed by infected individuals, which reduces the risk of transmission to others.

 

Another advantage of iNCOVACC is that it may require fewer doses than traditional vaccines. The nasal vaccine stimulates a robust immune response with a lower dose of the vaccine than the traditional vaccine. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the vaccine and makes it easier to distribute to remote and low-income areas.

The iNCOVACC has also been shown to be effective against different variants of the Covid-19 virus. This is because the vaccine stimulates a broad immune response that can recognize and fight different variants of the virus.

Challenges and Limitations of iNCOVACC

 

The development and use of nasal Covid-19 vaccines like iNCOVACC face several challenges and limitations. One of the primary challenges is regulatory approval. Nasal vaccines are relatively new, and regulatory agencies may require more extensive studies before approving the vaccine for use in humans. The regulatory process may be more stringent for nasal vaccines because they are administered differently from traditional vaccines.

 

Another challenge is the mass production of the vaccine. The production of nasal vaccines may be more complicated and expensive than traditional vaccines, which may limit the availability of the vaccine. The cold-chain requirements for nasal vaccines may also pose a challenge for storage and transportation.

 

Additionally, there may be potential side effects associated with iNCOVACC. As with any vaccine, there is a risk of adverse reactions. In preclinical trials, iNCOVACC was found to be safe and well-tolerated, but additional studies are needed to confirm its safety in humans. The potential side effects of iNCOVACC include nasal congestion, headache, and fever.

Conclusion

 

The nasal Covid-19 vaccine, iNCOVACC, is a new vaccine that may have several advantages over traditional Covid-19 vaccines. The vaccine is administered through the nose and stimulates a local immune response in the nose and throat, which is the primary site of entry for respiratory viruses like Covid-19. The potential advantages of iNCOVACC include reduced transmission of the virus, fewer doses required, and effectiveness against different variants of the virus.

However, there are challenges and limitations associated with the development and use of iNCOVACC. These include regulatory approval, mass production, and potential side effects. The current status of iNCOVACC suggests that it is still in the early stages of development, and additional studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Get in touch with a COVID Specialist in Medanta Medicity Hospital for more information on iNCOVACC!