Jan 26,2023:Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, on the occasion of Republic Day, launched Bharat Biotech International Limited’s first India-made nasal COVID-19 vaccine, iNCOVACC. Bharat Biotech also claims that iNCOVACC is also the world’s first COVID intranasal vaccine for primary series and heterologous booster.
Mandaviya, during the launch event, said that over 65 percent of vaccines supplied in the world are from India. He also congratulated the Bharat Biotech team for bringing about the world’s first nasal vaccine. He said, “…being the world’s first intra-nasal COVID-19 vaccine, this marks a glorious tribute to the call for Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
This new nasal vaccine, BBV154, received the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approval in November for restricted emergency use among adults as a heterologous booster dose.
Singh also congratulated the company for developing another vaccine and said that “India has taken a lead in developing vaccines and medicines for diseases common in the developing world”. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention and regular monitoring for inspiring and enabling the launching of “Mission Covid Suraksha”, which has not only strengthened Aatmanirbhar Bharat but also bolstered India’s status as a worldwide vaccine development and manufacturing centre, thus showcasing the strength of India’s Science and Technology capabilities. “Next step would be to develop vaccines for non-communicable diseases,” he added.
