DNA Vaccine ZyCoV-D For 12+ To Be Rolled Out Soon, Govt Working On Pricing: Health Ministry

The indigenously developed needle-free Coronavirus vaccine was given Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) last month by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

(Representative Image/Getty)

New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Thursday said that world's first DNA vaccine against Covid-19 made by Zydus Cadila will soon be introduced as part of the country's vaccination drive.

The indigenously developed needle-free Coronavirus vaccine - ZyCoV-D - was given Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) last month by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) which is fit to be administered to beneficiaries in the age group of 12-18 years in the country.

While making the announcement, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the 3-dose needle-free vaccine will be priced differently than jabs being used currently. 

Bhushan further said that the government is in talks with the manufacturer for a quick and smooth rollout of the vaccine. 

In August, Zydus Cadila has said that the commercial rollout for the vaccine will start from mid-September.

According to the pharma major, the vaccine is 66 per cent effective against the delta variant of Covid, with higher antibody levels in the age group of 12 years and 18 years.

Health Ministry On Upcoming Festive Season

Reiterating its warning ahead of the upcoming festive season, the Ministry urged people to avoid large gatherings, maintain physical distancing and use face masks in order to avoid the third wave of Coronavirus in the country.

Bhushan asked citizens to celebrate festivals maintaining Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

Meanwhile, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) DG Dr. Balram Bhargava suggested that it will be prudent to avoid non-essential travel and observe festivity but at low-key at least this year.

India's Covid Update

The ministry also informed that as many as 30 districts are continuing to record over 10% weekly Covid-19 positivity rate, while 18 districts across the country are seeing between 5 per cent and 10 per cent. 

Kerala has the highest active cases - 1,44,000 which is 52 per cent of total active cases of the country. Maharashtra has 40,000 active cases, Tamil Nadu has 17,000, Mizoram has 16,800, Karnataka has 12,000 and Andhra Pradesh has a little more than 11,000 active cases. 

While saying that Kerala still remains to be a major concern for the Ministry, Bhushan said that absolute number of cases is declining in the state, but it still contributes a substantial number of total cases in the country. 

He also said that active cases are going down across the country and the cumulative recovery rate rising. India now has a recovery rate of almost 98 per cent.