The Indian biotechnology company, Bharat Biotech, has recently made headlines with the approval of the world’s first intranasal vaccine booster dose for Covid-19, known as BBV154 or Incovacc. The vaccine, with its unique administration method and effectiveness against Omicron variants, marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.
About Incovacc
BBV154, also known as Incovacc, is recognized as the world’s first intranasal vaccine approved as a Covid-19 booster dose. It utilizes a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vector with a pre-fusion stabilized spike protein. This novel approach aims to enhance the body’s immune response towards the coronavirus, thus paving the way for a new generation of vaccines.
Advantages of Incovacc
The core advantage of Incovacc lies in its delivery mechanism. Unlike traditional vaccines that require an injection, Incovacc is administered through a nasal spray. This eliminates the need for needles and syringes and reduces the dependence on trained personnel to administer the vaccine. Moreover, this vaccine effectively combats Omicron variants that replicate in the upper respiratory tract before infiltrating the lungs.
The Mechanism of Incovacc
In terms of mechanism, the nasal administration of Incovacc triggers an immune response in the mucosal membrane. This results in the production of local antibodies in the upper respiratory tract, which have the potential to reduce infection and transmission rates. Given that the virus initially enters our bodies through the nose, a nasal vaccine like Incovacc provides targeted immunity, making it more effective at preventing transmission than currently available vaccines.
Incovacc as a Booster Dose
Following the inclusion of Corbevax, Incovacc becomes the second heterologous booster vaccine included in the vaccination programme. In heterologous boosting, a person receives a different vaccine from the one used for the primary dose, unlike homologous boosting where the same vaccine is used for all the doses. Incovacc received approval as a primary dose and will now be available as a booster dose for individuals above 18 years of age who have previously received two doses of either Covaxin or Covishield. It will not, however, be administered to any other category, for now, including those who have already taken a booster dose.
Understanding Covid-19 Vaccines
Many questions arise about Covid-19 vaccines in the minds of people. To aid in understanding, here are some facts about commonly used Covid-19 vaccines:
The Serum Institute of India manufactured the Covishield vaccine using a platform that employs a recombinant, replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus vector encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein. This stimulates an immune response in the body.
Sputnik V is another popular vaccine manufactured using a vector-based platform. It’s known as the world’s first registered vaccine based on a well-studied human adenovirus vector and has been approved for use in 71 countries.
Lastly, Covaxin, an Indian vaccine, is an inactivated viral vaccine that utilizes Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology. The vaccine contains inactivated viruses, incapable of causing an infection but able to prepare the immune system against the active virus.
In summary, these vaccines, along with the newly approved Incovacc, mark significant progress in global efforts to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. By understanding the science behind these vaccines, we, as responsible citizens, can make informed decisions regarding our health and the health of our community.