Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the world’s first DNA vaccine for COVID-19 will be soon launched in India. The announcement comes at a time when several states have started enforcing several restrictions in order to curb the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. While appealing to people not to panic because of the new variant, PM Modi in his address to the nation also said that India will soon start administering the nasal vaccine.
Know all about the world’s first DNA vaccine for COVID-19
The world’s first DNA vaccine for COVID-19 has been produced by pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila. The vaccine has been named ZyCoV-D and the company received Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) in August to supply one crore doses of it.
‘PharmaJet’, a needle-free applicator, will be used to administer the world’s first Plasmid DNA vaccine. This is a big development in the way COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to people. So far the traditional syringes are being used to administer COVID-19 vaccines or most of the vaccines available for the matter.
A needle-free applicator not just makes sure painless intradermal vaccine delivery but may also lead to a significant reduction in any kind of major side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Cost of ZyuCoV-D
The Government of India has placed the order of one crore doses of ZyuCoV-D with Zydus Cadila. The cost of a single dose of the DNA vaccine will be around Rs 265. However, Rs 93 will be the cost of the needle-free applicator. This will be excluding GST.
According to reports, three doses of ZyCoV-D will be required and they will be administered 28 days apart.
PM Modi also announced that the ‘precaution dose’ of COVID-19 will be given to frontline and health care workers. Senior citizens with comorbidities will be given preference for the booster dose which will start from January 10, 2022.
