Zycov-D, India’s first COVID-19 vaccine for those above 12, gets nod

Current GK ( Master) Health and Diseases

The Drug Controller General has granted emergency approval to the Zycov-D, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadilla group, on Friday, making it the first vaccine in India that can be administered to adults as well as those 12 and above. It's also the only DNA-based vaccine in the world and can be administered without a needle, purportedly minimising chances of reactions.
The vaccine has been developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha', The three-dose vaccine once administered produces the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and elicits an immune response. "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 DBT noted. Renu Swarup, Secretary,
“We are extremely happy that our efforts to put out a safe, well tolerated and efficacious vaccine to fight COVID-19 has become a reality with ZyCoV-D. To create the world’s first DNA vaccine at such a crucial juncture and despite all the challenges, is a tribute to the Indian research scientists and their spirit of innovation," Pankaj Patel, Chairman, Zydus Group said in a statement.