The ideal time for getting a booster dose of Covid-19 would be six months after the second dose, said Bharat Biotech's founder and Managing Director, Dr. Krishna Ella on Wednesday.
Dr. Ella further added that a final decision regarding the booster dose will be taken by the government.
He also emphasized on development of the nasal vaccine and how it can be a substitute for the second dose. Dr. Krishna said Bharat Biotech has developed a nasal vaccine and disclosed that the Phase 2 trials for it have been conducted.
"We should expect it in 3-4 months," he said. In addition to this, he also said that Bharat Biotech is trying to get the government's approval to use the Cowin platform for doing clinical trials
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Ella indicated that the nasal Covid vaccine could be taken instead of the second dose of Covaxin or to protect previously infected persons. The nasal vaccine was more effective in preventing infection as compared to an injectable vaccine which does not reach the upper lungs and could eliminate the need for a vaccinated individual to continue wearing the mask, he said.
On bringing a vaccine for children, Ella said Bharat Biotech was the only company in the world to have done clinical trials among those between 2 and 18 years of age.
At the Times Now Summit 2021, Ella also opened up about the hurdles faced in Covaxin's WHO approval.
He said that they had 5 vaccines WHO pre-qualified "so we knew it very well, we know how to do it. But the problem is many media people who are negative, they even wrote to the scientific journals to look into some death in Bhopal. It happened because of suicide but it was blamed on vaccine".
Asked about the reason behind the negative publicity, the Bharat Biotech founder responded: "When Prime Minister took the vaccine, immediately they said it's a BJP vaccine, it's a Modi vaccine. All sorts of synonyms. We are scientists, we don't understand the politics."
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The World Health Organisation granted emergency use listing to India's indigenous vaccine Covaxin on November 3.
