[Jan] BBV154, Bharat Biotech’s single-dose intranasal vaccine for Covid-19

Question 1

What is an intranasal vaccine?

Answer 1

• Vaccines are most commonly administered as injectable shots into the muscles (intramuscular) or the tissue just between the skin and the muscles (subcutaneous).
• However, with intranasal vaccines, the solution is squirted or sprayed into the nostrils and inhaled instead of injecting it.

Question 2

Benefits?

Answer 2

• Overcome barriers to delivery and administration that come with producing and distributing injectable vaccines
• may be able to tap an additional set of immune cells found in the tissues lining the nose, mouth and lungs
• cut down on the need for syringes, needles and other components like alcohol swabs, as they are not injected
• Eliminates needle-associated injuries and infections
• does not require trained healthcare workers
• single-dose,
• Studies have shown that targeting the immune response to the upper respiratory tract provides critical protection(hence better targeted)
• SARS-CoV-2 virus shows a proclivity to dwell in the upper respiratory tract for a prolonged period of time, a safe and efficacious nasal vaccine is well-placed to target the literal entry point of the virus into the body.
• current vaccines did not prevent infection in the nose and lungs,intranasal vaccines can prevent them -> hence it will Will help reduce transmission of the virus

Question 3

potential setbacks?

Answer 3

These vaccines have mostly been made using live, weakened viruses, but have never cleared clinical trials.

Question 4

CONCERNS

Answer 4

• being used only for influenza till date

- cannot be used on certain groups of people,-> particularly those who have compromised immune systems.