Nasal Swine Flu Vaccine in India Soon
Posted on Jan 11, 2010 by Reena Daruwalla | Comments 0
As the H1N1 Swine Flu threat continues to dog Indians, with no vaccine available to counter dangers posed by it, there seems to be some hope in sight with the nasal spray swine flu vaccine, developed indigenously by Pune’s Serum Institute being given the go ahead for human testing.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given the go ahead to the pharmaceutical company to test the nasal swine flu vaccine, which has already been successfully tested on animals and is now ready to be tested on humans according to this PTI report. According to the report, Serum Institute is now in the process of identifying 50 “completely healthy” adults to undertake ‘phase- I’ human clinical trials in Pune, Delhi and Ahmedabad, according to Dr Rajiv Dhere, director of the company.
Unlike regular vaccines that are administered by injection or orally, this swine flu vaccine is in the form of a nasal spray. In other countries this is already available in spray form and is sold under the brand name ‘Flumist’. It’s actually made up of live but weakened flu viruses that allow your body to develop immunity to the flu virus.
There could be certain side effects that occur from the nasal swine flu, such as sore throat, runny nose, cough. Some people can develop muscle aches or even fever.
Although the swine flu vaccine in its spray form is easier to administer (especially for those that have a dislike for needle jabs), research done with the seasonal flu spray vaccine has shown that the spray may not be as effective in creating immunity as the injectible form of the vaccine. This is especially true for adults, however it has been seen that the spray works better is certain groups such as children. More research is required for the swine flu nasal spray however.
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Posted in: Swine Flu Drugs • Swine Flu News
