Zydus Cadila to supply 1 Cr doses of ZyCoV-D to Centre at Rs 265 per dose

Ahmedabad: Zydus Cadila will supply one crore doses of its plasmid DNA vaccine ZyCoV-D to the Government of India for inoculation of children and young adults in the age group of 12 to 18 years. Zydus Cadila has set the price at Rs 265 per dose and Rs 93 for the needle-free applicator excluding GST after several rounds of consultation with the government.

Indigenously developed by Zydus Cadila, ZyCoV-D is the first known vaccine in the world to have utilized DNA plasmid technology. The vaccine will be administered through the PharmaJet® needle-free applicator, making it the first needle-free COVID vaccine which can significantly reduce side effects and help the DNA plasmid in reaching the desired location for effective immunization.

Speaking on the inclusion of the vaccine in the country's COVID vaccination drive, Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Cadila said, “We are happy to support the Government’s vaccination programme with ZyCoV-D. The needle-free application of the vaccination, we hope, will motivate many more to vaccinate and safeguard themselves from COVID-19, especially children and young adults in the age group of 12 to 18 years.”

ZyCoV-D can be stored at temperatures of around 25 degrees for at least three months without losing its stability. The thermostability of the vaccine offers greater flexibility with the storage and transportation of the vaccine in comparison to others that require freezing temperatures. The company further suggests that DNA plasmid technology offers greater protection to deal with any mutations occurring in the virus.