New Delhi/IBNS: Bharat Biotech’s nasal Covid vaccine, iNCOVACC, will be introduced as a booster dose as the government gears up to avert a fresh wave of coronavirus, media reports said.

"iNCOVACC has the double benefit of enabling faster development of variant-specific vaccines and easy nasal delivery that enables mass immunization to protect from emerging variants of concern. It promises to become an important tool in mass vaccinations during pandemics and endemics," the Ministry of Science had said.

After a final nod from the authorities, Bharat Biotech will roll out the vaccine.

India Today reported that permissions for the vaccine are in the final stage, and they could be introduced on the COWIN platform by the upcoming week.

Bharat biotech’s nasal vaccine is a needless vax and does not require a health practitioner or worker to administer it.

It will be India’s first such booster dose. It can be administered to those above 18 years.

Covaxin has already got approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for restricted use in emergency situations in the age group of 18 and above.

Earlier on Thursday, Serum Institute sought the DCGI's approval for market authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine- Covovax- as a booster dose for those aged 18 years.

The SII has sought clearance for the vaccine to be administered to adults who have been jabbed with two doses of Covishield or Covaxin, media reports said.