Anti-vaxxer behaviour is the new buzzword now; we can see many of us calling the new vaccination stint a gimmick. The intra-nasal vaccine, termed a “booster dose” without injecting any needles in the body, is on the go. Meanwhile, a few prolific people and the masses are calling it an illogical move! It was only natural for us to speak with the medical experts themselves and learn about their differing perspectives on the subject.
For example, Dr. Chinnadurai R, lead consultant for critical care at Aster RV hospital, says, “The pandemic has drastically changed everything for us now — we are bound to take a booster shot every three years now. It does boost our immunity, despite false reports that it’s damaging our immune system. No, it’s not. In fact, the nasal vaccine is even more effective than the injections. Nobody wants to inflict constant pain, so this was a smart move by the institute to introduce a direct nasal vaccine. It’s getting easier for the masses to come ahead for the booster vaccination.
At present, the most important thing is to create awareness about the benefits of the vaccine! As of now, there is little or no knowledge among the general public about this new vaccine. Some of the benefits are that it is effective in blocking the infection and transmission as it initiates an immune response at the infection site, which is the nasal mucosa; it is non-invasive, it can be easily administered unlike the other vaccines, there is complete elimination of injuries and infections associated with the needles and syringes; and it is highly suitable for kids. Our pharmacy is innovating itself with every new step taken for the benefit of the country.”
In general, vaccination allows the induction of an immune response based on two types of cells: T lymphocytes, capable of destroying infected cells, and B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies capable of neutralising the virus to prevent it from multiplying and infecting new healthy cells. Why would the citizens not be concerned? Actress and author Pooja Bedi is totally against it, and she said, “I would rather have immunity boosting drinks than a vaccine. Wellness practises can also accelerate healing in your body! My kids are vaccinated, but not me. The need for more than two vaccines stirs a doubt in me. It seems like a bottomless cycle of vaccines I don’t wish to enter! Yes, it’s a monster flu, but there’s also sunshine and greenery to distract you. We just have to look around.”
But an intranasal vaccination induces not only a systemic but also a local immune response — directly, therefore, at the gate of the virus’s entry. Other teams are following this type of approach to develop an anti-Covid vaccine delivered by the mucosal route too! However, there are still very few human vaccine candidates available. Dr. Gowri Kulkarni, head of medical operations at MediBuddy, explained, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, booster doses can be recommended for patients who are at high risk of severe illness or complications and for those who have weak immune systems.
The decision to receive a booster shot is a personal one that should be based on the individual’s medical history and specific health requirements. Acquired immunity can be obtained in active or passive ways. Active immunity is when we acquire immunity by either exposure to the infection or by taking the vaccination. Passive is when it is acquired by someone else, like from mother to baby. Vaccinations help stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to a specific pathogen, which can lead to a stronger immune response and reduced severity of illness in the case of an actual infection.
Vaccination has potentially helped in reducing the mortality and morbidity due to the infection in the community. This is especially true for individuals who have immunocompromised status and are at a higher risk of contracting an illness. Nasal vaccination is not a new phenomenon and has been widely used in India, especially in cases related to influenza.
The nasal spray vaccination is a convenient alternative to traditional injected flu shots and has been well received in India. It stimulates the body’s immune system to develop protective antibodies that provide protection against disease through the nasal passages, which triggers an immune response in the body.”
Dr. Monalisa Sahu, consultant in infectious diseases at Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, said, “The booster dose of the vaccine is recommended for active immunization. It is an adenoviral vector-based vaccine, expressing a stabilised spike protein, for nasal administration only. It evokes a good immune response against several circulating strains and variants of pandemic, including several variants of omicron and the recent variant BA.5. Hence, it should be taken as a booster dose when available and is highly recommended. It is false that it is compromising our immune system.
Instead, it enhances both arms of the immune system — the cell-mediated immunity, of both T and b cell phenotypes — and the immunity offered is persistent across several variants of SARS CoV2, including omicron. People who have an immunocompromising condition may not mount the same level of protection after the vaccine as compared to an immunocompetent individual, but the claims that it compromises the immune system of a person are false.”
The early success of the initial vaccines led many to believe that this shot strategy would ultimately achieve global containment. Had the virus not evolved into its current strains, that might have been possible.However, now that we have a global surge because of our inability to block infections and transmission, the doctors who prescribe them should fully support and pursue this new innovation to achieve a high level of mucosal immunity!
