India-developed, Zydus Cadila Corona Vaccine has received approval for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for ZyCoV-D on 20/08/2021.
It is the world’s first and India’s locally/indigenously developed DNA based vaccine for COVID-19.
Table of Contents
Who can take ZyCoV-D vaccine?
It the first vaccine in India that can be administered to people including children and adults who are 12 years and above
ZyCoV-D vaccine is also the world’s first DNA based vaccine. It is also happens to be the only needle-free COVID vaccine.
The vaccine is administered using The PharmaJet a needle free applicator, which ensures painless intradermal vaccine delivery.
Who has developed Zydus Cadila Corona Vaccine?
The vaccine has been developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha‘.
It is the 2nd home-grown local covid vaccine after Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
What are the doses of DNA based ZyCoV-D vaccine?
Unlike most covid-19 vaccines, this DNA covid vaccine is injected in 3 doses. ZyCoV-D vaccine will be administered in 3 doses with a gap of 28 days between each dose.
The vaccine is injected using a needle-free applicator instead of traditional syringes
The primary efficacy of the 3 dose vaccine is 66.6% for symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases.
This late-stage clinical trial included more than 28,000 volunteers nationwide, including nearly 1,000 subjects in the age group of 12 to 18. The drug maker claims that this DNA vaccine is effective against the new coronavirus mutants, especially the Delta variant.
The company also plans to seek approval for the two dose regimen of the vaccine
How does DNA covid-19 vaccine works?
ZyCoV-D vaccine uses a section of genetic material from virus that stimulates or gives instructions either DNA or RNA to make specific protein that the immune system recognises and responds to.
The plug-and-play technology on which the plasmid DNA platform is based can be easily adapted to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring.
The Plasmid DNA platform also allows generating new constructs quickly to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring
What are the advantages of Zydus Cadila Corona vaccine?
Zydus Cadila Corona Vaccine is stored at 2-8 degree C but has shown good stability at temperatures of 25 degree C for at least three months. The thermostability of the vaccine will help in easy transportation and storage. It will reduce any vaccine wastage
When will this ZyCoV-D vaccine be available in market?
Zydus Cadila Corona Vaccine is expected to be launched in mid-September. They aim to supply 5 crores doses till December 2021.
A Visual Learning Platform
