New Delhi, July 24: Doctors all over India are talking about Nasovac, the intra-nasal swine flu preventive vaccine developed by scientists at the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. This follows reports that a swine flu pandemic in May last year claimed over 1,000 lives in the country.
The vaccine, which is packaged in a dry powder form, has to be mixed with a diluent (provided by the manufacturers). The resulting liquid vaccine – about 2.5ml, which is the equivalent of five doses – has to be used within six hours. And the recommended method of administering the vaccine is to spray it into the nostril via a device fitted on the top of a syringe.
Nasovac helps the human body develop anti-bodies, to protect it against H1N1, in the nose, throat and blood. It was clinically tested in three institutes in Pune and one each in Indore and Ahmedabad.
SII’s executive director (operations) Adar C. Poonawalla told the media that Nasovac, which is priced at Rs160 per dose in India, can be used only for adults and children above three years.
“Our recommendation is that it should not be administered to pregnant and lactating women, besides children below three years,” he added.
Pointing out that the company had donated vaccines worth Rs10 crores to various hospitals, non-government organisations and the underprivileged, Mr Poonawalla said that SII will invest about Rs100 crores to increase output from 45 million doses to around 135 million doses.
Pune-based paediatrician Sharad Agarkhedkar told “Various doubts about the vaccine were dispelled by the scientists. The one big misconception was about its administration to asthmatic and severely asthmatic patients. The vaccine is safe for all kinds of asthma patients… the only thing is that it should not be given during an asthma attack.”
Dr Agarkhedkar also pointed out that the vaccine should not be sniffed: “When the doctor pushes the vaccine into the nostrils, it trickles down to the nasopharynx. It starts acting and the protection to the virus is developed within seven days. Some people could start sneezing and develop nasal stuffiness. Some children may become irritable. The possibility of mild fever also exists.”
However, he reassured everyone that these symptoms do not last for more than two days and do not need to be treated.
–Agencies