First intranasal COVID-19 vaccine iNNCOVACC launched in India

Delhi : In the presence of Union Minister of State (IC) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the COVID-19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC, on Thursday.

The world's first intranasal Covid-19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC, has been approved for use as a heterologous booster dose and the primary 2-dose schedule. It was created by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) with the help of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a public utility that falls under the Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Biotechnology.

Mandaviya said, "Over 65% of vaccines supplied in the world are from India." He expressed his



joy at the event.

“Being the world’s first intra-nasal Covid-19 vaccine, this marks a glorious tribute to the call for Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said, commending the BBIL team and the Department of Biotech for developing the world's first nasal vaccine.

The Union Health Minister went on to say that India's innovation and manufacturing of vaccines are well-known all over the world because it has pioneered the production of high-quality, low-cost medicines.

Jitendra Singh stated, "India has taken a lead in developing vaccines and medicines for diseases common in the developing world," commending BBIL for creating a new vaccine in collaboration with BIRAC.