ZyCoV-D-World’s 1st DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine for 12 yrs & above cleared for emergency use in India

Aug. 20: Zydus Cadila has received approval for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from DCGI for its three-dose COVID-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D for use in adults and children aged 12 years and above. It’s shown to be 66.6% effective in phase 3 trials and has become sixth COVID-19 vaccine to be approved in India.

The Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical firm had on 1 July applied for emergency use authorization of its ZyCoV-D three-dose Covid-19 vaccine. The company also submitted data evaluating a two-dose regimen for the shot. The SEC is likely to compare the data and make a decision on its go-ahead. It’s the world’s first and India’s indigenously- developed DNA-based vaccine for COVID-19 to be administered in those aged 12 years and above.

Zydus Cadila’s vaccine, developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology, is the second home-grown shot to get emergency authorisation in India after Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.