Guwahati: India’s first needle-free and second indigenous Covid-19 vaccine “ZyCov D” has been launched in Patna of Bihar and is a breath of fresh air for those who are afraid of needles.
The vaccine is being provided in three doses at three immunisation centers in Patna: Patliputra Sports Complex, Polytechnic College, and Gurunanak Bhawan.
Here’s everything you need to know about the ZyCov D vaccination as India prepares to administer its first needleless Covid vaccine.
What is the ZyCov-D vaccine, and how does it work?
ZyCov D is a plasmid DNA vaccine, which means it uses a genetically designed, non-replicating version of a DNA molecule called a “plasmid.” It is the first DNA vaccination in the world.
This vaccination is directly thwarted into a person’s DNA as plasmids and caused a scientific immune response, in layman’s terms.
The instructions to manufacture the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, are encoded on the plasmids in this case.
As a result, when the vaccine is given the cells in the recipient’s body are alerted and they can begin producing the virus’s spiky outer covering. As a result, our immune system recognises it as a threat and responds by producing antibodies.
How is ZyCov D administered?
The vaccine is given in three doses separated by 28 days and is needle-free and painless.
The first shot is administered on Day 0, the second on Day 28, and the third on Day 56.
Aside from that, the vaccine will be administered using a spring-powered device that injects the vaccine into the skin as a thin, precise stream of fluid.
Is ZyCov D safe?
ZyCov D is manufactured by Zydus Cadila, a Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company, has been tested on over 28,000 people, and was approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in August 2021 for age categories.
Pankaj R Patel, chairman of Zydus Group, stated in December 2020 that the vaccine was “safe and immunogenic” after the first two phases of the experiment.
For the time being, the ZyCov D vaccination is exclusively given to adults.