Bharat Biotech’s intranasal booster dose approved: Booster for those taking Covishield-Covaxin, dose will be given through nose

India’s Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Friday approved Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine ‘Five Arms’ for emergency use. It will be given as a booster dose. Its dose will be given through the nose instead of injection.

What is the specialty of intranasal vaccine?
The name of Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine is BBV154. It was approved on 6 September for emergency use as a primary dose. Vaccine dose can be given to people above 18 years of age. It will be given 6 months after the second dose.

Its special thing is that it blocks both infection and transmission of corona as soon as it enters the body. Since this vaccine does not require any injection, there is no risk of injury. Also, healthcare workers will not need any special training.

4 drops of vaccine is enough
Intranasal vaccine can be given as a booster dose to those taking vaccines like Covaxin and Covishield. According to Dr. Krishna Ella, Managing Director and Chairman of Bharat Biotech, like polio, 4 drops of this vaccine is also enough. Two drops are put in both the nostrils.

So far 219.89 crore vaccine doses have been administered
According to the data of the Ministry of Health, 219.89 crore vaccine doses have been administered since the beginning of the vaccination drive. At the same time, booster doses have been given to more than 22 crore people. Vaccine has also been given to 7 crore children in the age group of 12 to 14 years.