New Delhi: India’s fight against the coronavirus got a major boost on Tuesday after the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave its nod to Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid vaccine for restricted emergency use in those aged above 18 years.
“Big Boost to India’s Fight Against COVID-19! Bharat Biotech’s ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) recombinant nasal vaccine approved by @CDSCO_INDIA_INF for primary immunization against COVID-19 in 18+ age group for restricted use in emergency situation,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet.
Big Boost to India’s Fight Against COVID-19!
Bharat Biotech’s ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) recombinant nasal vaccine approved by @CDSCO_INDIA_INF for primary immunization against COVID-19 in 18+ age group for restricted use in emergency situation.
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 6, 2022
The Union Health Minister said this step will further strengthen “our collective fight” against the pandemic. “India has harnessed its science, research and development (R&D), and human resources in the fight against COVID-19 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership,” he said.
“With the science-driven approach & Sabka Prayas, we will defeat COVID-19,” Mandaviya also said.
The Hyderabad-based firm completed clinical trials of the nasal vaccine with about 4,000 volunteers and there is no side effect or adverse reaction reported so far, company sources had said.