New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the approval for the world's first DNA based ZyCov-D vaccine is a testimony to the innovative zeal of India's scientists.

In response to a tweet by CDSCO India Info, the Prime Minister said; "India is fighting COVID-19 with full vigour. The approval for world's first DNA based 'ZyCov-D' vaccine of @ZydusUniverse is a testimony to the innovative zeal of India's scientists. A momentous feat indeed".

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The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to
Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Cadila) for ZyCoV-D, the world's first and India's indigenously developed DNA-based vaccine for COVID-19 to be administered in humans, including children above 12 years of age and adults. The vaccine has to be administered in three doses – the first and the remaining doses after 28 and 56 days.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) tweeted, " After evaluation of interim Phase III clinical trial results in consultation with Subject Expert Committee, CDSCO has approved DNA COVID-19 vaccine (ZyCoV-D) of M/s Cadila Healthcare for restricted use in emergency situation in India for 12 years and above".

The vaccine has an efficacy of 66.6 per cent, and it is to be stored at 2°C to 8°C. The vaccine is needle-free to be administered intradermally in three doses at days 0, 28 and 56.