Nasal vaccine candidate against Covid-19 could be a game-changer: Dr VK Paul

"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 said.

The Central government on Tuesday said that a nasal vaccine candidate against Covid-19 has been identified that could be a game-changer.

A medic administers the first dose of Covishield vaccine to NITI Aayog member VK Paul , after the virtual launch of Covid-19 vaccination drive at AIIMS in New Delhi. (PTI)

"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 also called upon people to end vaccine hesitancy as India was in a comfortable situation, assuring that both the vaccines against Covid-19 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 said that 580 adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) were reported till Monday.

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.