Centre Orders One Crore Doses Of ZyCoV-D Vaccine, Adults To Receive Jabs On Priority: Sources

The Union government has placed order to buy one crore doses of the three-dose 'ZycoV-D' vaccine, official sources informed on Sunday.

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Delhi: The Union government has placed the order to purchase one crore doses of 'ZyCoV-D', a three-dose vaccine from Ahmedabad-based company Zydus Cadila, official sources informed on Sunday.

Sources said the Union Health Ministry has begun initial steps to include the world's first DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine which is developed in India into the national vaccination drive. Initially, it will be given on priority to adults.

Orders given for one crore doses

ZyCoV-D is the first vaccine approved by India's drug regulator for vaccination in people aged 12 years and older. An official source said the Centre has already ordered one crore doses of the ZyCoV-D vaccine, which is priced at around Rs 358, excluding tax.

This price also includes the cost of a jet applicator costing Rs 93. The vaccine will be administered with it. "Due to limited production capacity, the vaccine is likely to be given initially only to adults," the source informed. Company officials told the ministry that Zydus Cadila is in a position to provide one crore doses of ZyCoV-D per month.

The three doses are to be given at intervals of 28 days. The indigenous vaccine is the first-ever DNA-based and needle-free jab in the world. ZyCoV-D was approved for emergency use by the drug regulator on August 20.