Arushi Bidhuri
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Written By: Arushi Bidhuri | Published : September 1, 2021 3:10 PM IST
With more and more variants of the SARS COV-2 virus getting recognized and transmitted which are known to be more contagious and severe, there seems no stopping in the surge of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 is a respiratory virus, it prefers to enter the body through the nose. Nasal swabs are used in testing for the new coronavirus. To control the outcomes of the coronavirus, the vaccination drive is ongoing in full swing all over the world.
Recently, Bharat Biotech's Covid nasal vaccine BBV154 got a nod for holding the phase 2 clinical trial. The idea is to understand the efficacy of the cocktail of intramuscular and intranasal vaccines against the deadly virus. "When we talk about intranasal vaccines, they have a unique way to stimulate mucosal immunity (IgA mediated). This is barrier protection that lines the upper respiratory tract (from mouth to the trachea). Since this is the route of entry for COVID-19 virus, an intranasal vaccine can be a game-changer in reducing the transmission and spread of the disease", says Dr Charu Dutt Arora, COVID expert and Head Consultant of Home Care Services at Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad.
The intramuscular vaccine (which is given in the muscles) is absorbed quickly in the blood and provides an IgG-mediated immune response. This type of immunity lasts longer and helps in reducing the severity of the cases. On the other hand, intranasal vaccines are given through the nose, protects the lining of the nose, throat and pharynx and reduce the transmission of infection. But there is literature to support that intranasal vaccines are short-term and can wane faster than regular injectables.
Currently, there are seven companies researching the efficacy of intranasal vaccines. The Indian company Bharat Biotech is in the second phase and we should be hopeful to get good results by the end of the year. Dr Arora adds, "Administering intranasal vaccines is easier and requires minimal logistical and manpower support. If approved with substantial results, the number of vaccinations per day will increase drastically ".
Research is happening all over the world about combining these two routes of vaccinations for the best results. The trials in India are one of its kind in the world, where the Bharat Biotech manufactured COVAXIN is complemented with the adenoviral intranasal shot. This shot is prepared with the chimpanzee adenovirus vector technology developed by the Hyderabad based company along with researchers from the Washington University of St Louis School of Medicine, USA.
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