NEW DELHI, Jan 19: Even as injectable vaccines against Coronavirus are still to receive universal acceptance from the frontline workers in the country, the central government on Tuesday claimed that it had identified a “nasal vaccine” which if passed the tests would become a game changer in the vaccine world.
“A nasal vaccine candidate has been identified. It has come for consideration for phase 1 and phase 2 trials. If it works then it could be a game-changer,” said Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog.
He, however, did not reveal any other information about the nasal vaccine.
Paul also called for ending the present vaccine hesitancy and asked how would the country fight against the pandemic if the frontline workers disrupt the vaccine schedules by staying away from taking the vaccines. He said India was in a comfortable situation and assured that both Covishield and Covaxin vaccines India was using for mass immunization were “safe.”
“We would like to reassure everyone with the data we have seen that the two Covid-19 vaccines are safe. The vaccine hesitancy should end. How will we defeat the pandemic then?” Paul added.
Paul further requested the doctors and nurses to accept the vaccine.
He said, “We are not fulfilling our societal responsibility if a vaccine assigned to you is not being taken. The whole world is clamouring for the vaccine. I request the doctors and nurses to accept the vaccine.”
The health ministry had earlier pointed out that out of 4.54 lakh people taking vaccines till Monday evening, only 580 adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) were reported.
“The concerns about adverse effects and serious problems, as of now, seem to be insignificant, Paul said. Data show that we are in a comfortable situation and we would like to reassure you that the two Covid-19vaccines are safe,” he added.
A total of 4,54,049 people have been vaccinated till January 19, the Health Ministry said.
(Manas Dasgupta)