No More Needles: India Approves First-Ever Nasal COVID Booster

📅 By News Anek Digital Desk | June 20, 2025

“Ab teeka nahi, seeti bajegi. Sirf ek phoonk mein, COVID ka booster milega.”(No more injections—just a nasal puff for full protection.)

In a major scientific milestone, India has officially approved its first intranasal COVID-19 booster vaccine, making it one of the few countries in the world to deploy a needle-free COVID solution.

Developed by Bharat Biotech—the same team behind Covaxin—and backed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), this new vaccine is being hailed as a game-changer for booster dose compliance, especially in rural and needle-phobic populations.

But how effective is it really? Who can take it? And is it India’s ticket to full pandemic exit?

Let’s decode it all.

💡 What Is a Nasal Vaccine?

This is not a pill or an injection. It’s a liquid-based spray delivered via nasal drops or mist, which gets absorbed by the mucosal lining inside the nose.

Product name: iNCOVACC (BBV154)Manufacturer: Bharat BiotechType: Adenovirus vector-based, intranasalDose: 2 drops per nostril

Mechanism:

Unlike intramuscular vaccines that train the systemic immune system, nasal vaccines trigger mucosal immunity—the first line of defense in respiratory viruses.

Think of it as placing guards right at the front door of your lungs—stopping the virus at the entry point.

📜 Govt Approval Details

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for iNCOVACC as:

• A booster dose (not a primary vaccine)

• For adults aged 18+

• Usable irrespective of previous vaccine brand (Covaxin, Covishield, etc.)

• Available on CoWIN platform for booking

Expected rollout: Q3 of 2025 in government hospitals, private centers, and mobile vans.

📊 Clinical Trial Results (As Per Bharat Biotech)

Parameter	Outcome
Safety	No severe adverse events reported in Phase III
Immunogenicity	Strong mucosal and systemic response
Cross-neutralization	Effective against Omicron, JN.1, and XE lineages
Shelf-life	6 months at 2–8°C
Storage	Standard cold chain (no deep freezer needed)

Over 3,200 volunteers participated in trials across India, including Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

💉 Why This Is a Big Deal

✅ 1. No Needles = No Fear

A major reason for India’s booster lag was needle hesitation, especially among:

• Elderly

• Pregnant women

• Migrant workers

• Rural population

This nasal form is painless, stress-free, and faster to administer.

✅ 2. Better Mucosal Immunity

Nasal vaccines mimic natural infection—so they may offer better protection at the site of virus entry, reducing:

• Infection rates

• Transmission likelihood

• Need for frequent boosters

✅ 3. School and Mass Use Potential

No need for trained nurses to administer. A teacher or community volunteer can do it with just a training module.

🧠 Who Should Take It?

Recommended For:

• Adults aged 18 and above

• People who’ve received their last dose 6+ months ago

• Individuals with comorbidities or low antibody levels

• Frontline workers, frequent travelers

Not Recommended For:

• Children under 18 (trials pending)

• People with nasal conditions (polyps, surgeries)

• Anyone with recent flu, cold, or sinus issues

🏥 Distribution Strategy (Govt Plan)

1. Phase 1: Free nasal boosters to senior citizens, healthcare workers

2. Phase 2: Available in govt PHCs and CoWIN-listed private hospitals (at ₹325–₹400)

3. Phase 3: School & college-based nasal vax campaigns across rural India

   
   

💬 Doctors & Experts Weigh In

“This could revolutionize vaccine delivery in India. We’re not just protecting lungs, we’re eliminating the fear factor,”— Dr. Naveen Aggarwal, Immunologist, AIIMS Delhi

“We hope this improves booster coverage in districts with poor second dose uptake,”— Dr. Sunita Patel, Vaccine Policy Advisor, WHO-India

⚠️ What to Expect After Taking It?

Mild Side Effects Reported:

• Sneezing or nasal irritation

• Runny nose for 1–2 hours

• Mild headache or fatigue

• Rarely: dry throat or short-term congestion

All symptoms resolve within 24–48 hours.

📉 India's Booster Gap – The Urgency

According to MoHFW data (as of June 2025):

Dose	Coverage %
1st Dose	92%
2nd Dose	83%
Booster Dose	Only 38%

This means over 45 crore adults have still not received a booster—leaving India vulnerable to future COVID variants.

The nasal vaccine may be the bridge between vaccines that exist and vaccines people actually take.

🧠 News Anek Expert Take: Innovation Must Reach the Last Mile

“iNCOVACC is not just science—it’s psychology.”

By removing needles, India has removed the final emotional barrier to full pandemic protection. But innovation alone won’t help unless:

• ASHA workers are trained to administer it in villages

• Free campaigns are run in states with poor booster uptake

• Urban centers don’t hoard stocks while rural areas wait

The goal should be: one puff for all, not just the privileged.

📊 Quick Summary

Metric	Status
Vaccine	iNCOVACC (nasal)
Type	Adenovirus vector-based
Developer	Bharat Biotech
Approval	Booster for 18+
Price	₹325–₹400 (Private); Free for priority groups
Rollout	From July–August 2025
Special Feature	No needles; activates mucosal immunity

📢 Final Word from News Anek

We’ve come a long way from long queues at vaccine centers.Today, you could protect yourself with just two drops up the nose.

This is what Indian innovation looks like: frugal, scalable, and fear-free.

When the next wave comes, we won’t just have vaccines.We’ll have trust in our own science.