New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has reportedly given a green signal to prepare for the introduction of the indigenously developed world’s first DNA-based Covid shot. In all probability, the shots will be given to adults initially under the country’s vaccination drive, sources were quoted as saying by NDTV.
It is learnt that Zydus Cadila has agreed to lower the price of its COVID-19 vaccine to ₹ 265 per dose after the Centre’s persistent negotiations.
Zydus Cadila-manufactured ZyCov-D is the first vaccine given go-ahed by India’s drug regulator for vaccination of people aged 12 years and above.
A disposable painless jet applicator costing ₹ 93 is needed for each dose to administer the needle-free vaccine. This would take the price up to ₹ 358 a dose.
Earlier, the Ahmedabad-based pharma company had proposed ₹ 1,900 as price for its three-dose regimen, according to NDTV’s sources.
“The company has brought down the price to ₹ 358 for each dose which includes ₹ 93, the cost of a disposable jet applicator, following repeated negotiations by the government,” a source was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The three doses of the vaccine are to be administered in a gap of 28 days, with each comprising a jab in both arms.
