Covid Nasal Vaccine

Swathi Gadadasu • January 17, 2023

COVID Nasal Vaccine

written by Swathi Gadadasu

COVID-19 emerged as a global pandemic in 2019, affecting the lives of many and causing the death of 6,697,393 people over the globe.https://covid19.who.int/

Importance of the vaccine

Vaccines contain inactive or dead organisms that activate the body's immunity and produce antibodies against the specific infection.

When the pathogen enters the body via infection, our immunity will be ready with antibodies, so the chance of recovery is higher and the risk of death lower.

Development of the COVID Vaccine

Clinical research can be divided into two eras, pre-covid and post-covid. The covid pandemic has played an important role in the field of clinical research, with the onset of faster progression of all procedures required for the completion of clinical trials.

In the era of lockdown too, researchers over the globe worked 24/7 to develop a vaccine against the covid virus. Their endless determination and hard work led to the development of the covid vaccine that has saved many lives globally.¹

The COVID Vaccine

The covid vaccine has been utilized by all countries and proven to reduce the severity of the disease and death rates. In addition, the side effects of the vaccine are minor. However, it is injected into the muscles, requiring administration by trained health professionals.

The idea of the nasal covid vaccine has been introduced and developed, but it's still in the clinical trial phase.

Many people have wondered if the intranasal vaccine will have any advantages over the earlier vaccines.

Limitations of the Muscular Vaccine

The intramuscular covid vaccine is effective in activating the immune system. Still, the person infected with the covid virus can spread the virus to others. In addition, immune cells produced by the vaccine help protect from lower respiratory tract infections but are less effective for upper respiratory infections.

Covid infection is airborne, but this vaccine is unable to stop the infection at the most common site of entrance of the virus to the body, the nose. Since it is given into the muscles, it takes 10-14 days to immunize the individual for the covid virus.²

The advantages of the nasal vaccines are

The administration does not require trained professionals.
The nasal vaccine is available in powder form, making transportation very easy and economical.
The nasal vaccine can be self-administered.
The nasal vaccine increased immunity faster than the intramuscular vaccine in studies.
People who took the intranasal vaccine were less likely to spread the infection than those who received the intramuscular vaccine.
The nasal vaccine developed mucosal immunity, which helps prevent both upper and lower respiratory tract disorders.
The nasal vaccine is effective in developing immunity locally in the nasal cavity.
Mass vaccination programs can be conducted easily.
It's a needle-free method and can be administered to all ages.¹ ² ³

Let's have a look at some of the limitations of these vaccines:

The intranasal vaccines must complete all the phases of clinical trials before entering the market.
Pregnant women and children were not included in the clinical trial design of these vaccines; thus, the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in this population need to be studied further.
Since it is administered nasally, more doses are needed to maintain local immunity.

Though the advantages of the nasal covid vaccine appear to be greater than in the muscular, the side effects of the nasal vaccine need to be studied in detail which may take some time.³

Summary

Covid nasal vaccines have been proven to be effective in all aspects. However, more research and trials still have to be carried out to rule out potential side effects and aftereffects.

Prevention is better than cure.

Following covid protocols may reduce viral exposure and lower your chances of getting the infection.

References

Chavda VP, Vora LK, Pandya AK, Patravale VB. Intranasal vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: From challenges to potential in COVID-19 management. Drug Discov Today 2021;26:2619–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drudis.2021.07.021.
Alu A, Chen L, Lei H, Wei Y, Tian X, Wei X. Intranasal COVID-19 vaccines: From bench to bed. EBioMedicine 2022;76:103841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103841.
Meenakshi S, Kumar VU, Dhingra S, Murti K. Nasal vaccine as a booster shot: a viable solution to restrict pandemic? Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2022;11:184–92. https://doi.org/10.7774/cevr.2022.11.2.184.

Thank you for reading Patient Education Essentials, the Write Shift RN blog.

Disclaimer: This article was written as a guest post for Write Shift RN LLC's blog. The information in it may not be wholly fact-checked or edited, allowing the reader to see the writer's work and skills firsthand. This information is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational and educational purposes only. Always talk to your doctor or other qualified healthcare providers about any questions or concerns you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Steroid Injections vs. PRP

By Kristina Van Winkle • October 7, 2024

A Comparative Overview for Pain Management Steroid injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are two commonly used pain management treatments. While both aim to alleviate pain and promote healing, they have different mechanisms of action and long-term effects . What Are Steroid Injections ? Corticosteroids are potent drugs used extensively across various medical fields to manage a broad spectrum of conditions, making them one of the most widely prescribed drug classes in the world. They can be administered via nearly every route, including direct injection into painful or inflamed joints. "Corticosteroids" typically refers to the class of drugs that produce glucocorticoid effects. Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that regulate numerous physiologic processes within the body. They have vasoconstrictive, immunosuppressive, and anti-inflammatory effects and play a role in metabolism. What do steroid injections treat? Corticosteroids function by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation within the body. They inhibit the production of the body's pro-inflammatory chemicals, leading to decreased inflammation and, consequently, pain. They are prescribed for hundreds of medical conditions, including: Allergic and autoimmune disorders Adrenocortical secretion disorders Infections and inflammation Pathologic hypoglycemia Organ and graft rejections Neurological disorders Hypercalcemia Blood disorders Skin disorders Shock What are the side effects of steroid injections? Although steroids are known to some as “wonder drugs,” they impact various bodily systems, including metabolism, water and electrolyte balance, the central nervous system, and blood cells. As a result, they are associated with many adverse side effects, especially when administered in large doses or over extended periods. Adverse effects may occur in up to 90% of individuals who take them for longer than sixty days. These side effects may include: Suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis Gastrointestinal disturbances Osteoporosis and fractures Psychiatric disturbances Carpal tunnel syndrome Cardiovascular disease Immunosuppression Cushingoid features Hyperglycemia Skin disorders Glaucoma Myopathy Cataracts Diabetes The risk of adverse side effects is particularly high when taken systemically. However, side effect occurrences vary when administered as local injections for pain management. Data indicates that steroid injections into joints and the spine can produce systemic effects that can last for weeks. When assessing the risk factors associated with steroid injections, healthcare providers must consider all types and doses of steroids the person is taking, including both oral and injectable forms. Additionally, special caution is advised for certain populations, such as those who may undergo surgery soon, postmenopausal women, and individuals with diabetes. What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) ? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use an individual's own blood to promote cellular regeneration. Through the extraction and reinjection of platelets, growth factors, and other bioactive proteins from the person's blood, PRP therapy offers long-lasting improvements, sustained pain relief, and enhanced tissue function. What do PRP injections treat? PRP injections can stimulate healthy cell growth, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, form new blood vessels, rejuvenate the skin and hair, and accelerate recovery after a traumatic injury. It can treat a wide range of conditions, including: Pain resulting from traumatic injury or degenerative conditions such as arthritis and chronic back pain Musculoskeletal conditions Tendinopathies and tears Compressive neuropathy Scars and stretch marks Osteochondral lesions Rheumatoid arthritis Erectile dysfunction Muscular injuries Plantar fasciitis Vaginal atrophy Osteoarthritis Epicondylitis Infertility Psoriasis Wounds Bursitis Vitiligo What are the side effects of PRP? Since PRP is derived from the person's own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or rejection is significantly lower compared to other injectables, such as steroids. PRP typically does not cause major side effects, though you may experience some soreness or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, potential side effects may include: Tissue damage Nerve injuries Bleeding Infection Comparison of Steroid Injections and PRP Injections A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research compared steroid injections with PRP injections in patients with mild to moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). The findings indicated that both treatments were safe and effective in improving short-term pain and functioning, with no significant differences observed. However, PRP therapy demonstrated superior outcomes in the long term, with benefits extending up to one year. Additionally, a literature review in Cureus Journal of Medical Science analyzed multiple studies comparing steroid injections with PRP in lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy. The review found that PRP was equally as effective, if not superior, to steroid injections in the short term. Neither treatment was associated with major complications, and there were no significant differences in minor complications between the two. The review concluded that both PRP and steroid injections are safe and effective for treating lumbar spondylosis and sacroiliac arthropathy, with some evidence that PRP may offer more benefits in the long term. Research has confirmed that both steroid and PRP therapy are valuable options for pain management and tissue healing. Steroid injections offer potent anti-inflammatory benefits that can provide immediate relief. However, their systemic side effects and limited duration of efficacy should be carefully considered, especially in high-risk populations. While PRP may take longer to show results, its long-term benefits make it an increasingly popular choice for treating various conditions. Ultimately, the choice between these treatments should be based on the specific needs of the individual patient, with careful attention to the patient's medical history. Thank you for reading the Write Shift RN blog. If you need an experienced RN writer for your health or healthcare educational content, contact me !