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ZyCoV-D is a three-dose vaccine likely to be given to those above 12 years of age
ZyCoV-D, a needle-free Covid vaccine by Zydus Cadila is expected to be available in the country from October according to a media report by a news agency. The vaccine which is developed indigenously by Zydus Cadilan had got Emergency Use Authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India in August 2021. This will be the first vaccine to be administered to the age group of 12 to 18 years in India. At present India’s major vaccinations include Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V vaccines. These three vaccine formulations are given to only those above 18 years of age and are a two dosage formulation. While ZyCoV-D is a three-dose vaccine likely to be given to those above 12 years of age.
Earlier the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) had said, “This is the world’s first DNA-based vaccine against the coronavirus. The three-dose vaccine demonstrates an immune response as it produces the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when injected into the body. It plays a vital role in protection from the disease as well as viral clearance.”
The vaccine showed 66.6% efficacy in symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases from Phase-III clinical trials in over 28,000 volunteers. The DBT said that this has been largest vaccine trial conducted in India till now. In Phase, I and Phase II clinical trials, the vaccine showed robust immunogenicity and tolerability, and safety profile. An independent data safety monitoring board had monitored both Phase one/two and Phase three clinical trials.