With daily COVID-19 cases on the rise in MMR and a possibility of a second wave looming, health experts say there is an urgent need to scale-up vaccine delivery in re-emerging hotspots and look for innovative ways of mass immunisation with limited side effects. In view of Bharat Biotech getting an approval from DCGI to conduct the Phase I clinical trials of its intranasal vaccine, experts said that if found to be effective, the vaccine would be a path-breaking development. 

This is because it would be easier to administer it and help save resources as well. Speaking to mid-day, Dr Ketan Vagholkar, professor of Surgery at D Y Patil Medical College said, “The sudden spike in cases should be taken as a warning signal. All standard precautionary measures have to be enforced in public places. The working population, which otherwise does not have any comorbidities or allergies should be considered for a mass immunisation programme. This will help protect the active working population and prevent spread to individuals who have comorbidities and senior citizens.”