7 states to use Zydus in adults for now: Centre | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

7 states to use Zydus in adults for now: Centre

By, New Delhi
Dec 03, 2021 12:39 AM IST

Zydus Cadila’s Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D will initially be used in districts in 7 states having low first dose coverage before it is rolled out nationwide, the Union health ministry said on Thursday.

Zydus Cadila’s Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D will initially be used in districts in seven states having low first dose coverage before it is rolled out nationwide, the Union health ministry said on Thursday.

Beneficiaries receive Covid-19 vaccine shots at a vaccination centre in Thane on Thursday. The Centre announced that Zydus Cadila’s Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D will initially be used in districts in seven states. (PTI)
Beneficiaries receive Covid-19 vaccine shots at a vaccination centre in Thane on Thursday. The Centre announced that Zydus Cadila’s Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D will initially be used in districts in seven states. (PTI)

However, the world’s first DNA-based and needle-free Covid-19 vaccine, which is also the first to have been approved by India’s drug regulator for those aged 12 years and above, will only be administered to adults in the seven states for now, people familiar with the matter said.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Also Read | Zydus Cadila to supply 10 million doses of Covid-19 jab to Centre by December: Report

The seven states where ZyCoV-D will be administered in the first phase are Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

“Seven states (Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal) where ZyCoV-D vaccine will be used initially may identify districts with high number of first dose left out for introduction of the vaccine,” the Union health ministry said in a statement.

The national training for administering the vaccine has been completed, and the above mentioned states have been asked to plan sessions based on the needle-free PharmaJet injector and identify vaccinators to be trained for using it for vaccination, it added.

On August 20, the Drugs Controller General of India granted emergency use authorization to ZyCoV-D but it is yet to be included in the vaccination drive.

According to the company, the Centre has placed an order of one crore (10 million) doses of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan reviewed the status and progress of the “Har Ghar Dastak” (door to door) campaign with health secretaries and National Health Mission (NHM) directors of the states and Union territories through a video-conference.

The Centre’s month-long special vaccination drive, which began on November 3 and will continue till December 31, resulted in an 11.7% jump in second dose, and 5.9% increase in the first dose coverage. The campaign was launched with an aim to inoculate the entire population in poor-performing districts.

“The ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ nation-wide Covid-19 vaccination campaign has resulted in a hike of 5.9% in the 1st dose coverage (till 30th Nov), and an appreciable jump of 11.7% in 2nd dose Covid-19 vaccination coverage during the campaign...,” the statement said.

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 1,250 million doses on Thursday, of which, 791.3 million (84.3%) beneficiaries were vaccinated with the first dose and 458.2 million (49%) received the second dose, according to a provisional government report.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On