Coronavirus: Zydus Cadila seeks approval for needle-free COVID vaccine; Here's how it works

The second wave of coronavirus highlighted not just the unpredictability of the SARs-COV-2 virus but also emphasized on the importance of COVID vaccines. As of now, apart from locally manufactured Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-Astrazeneca's Covishield, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given emergency use authorization to Russia-made Sputnik V and Moderna vaccine.

Now, Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila, which is also one of the companies developing coronavirus vaccine, has sought emergency use approval for its three dose, needle-free COVID-19 vaccine, ZyCOV-D

ZyCoV-D is a plasmid DNA vaccine that uses a non-replicating version of a DNA molecule called plasmid, which helps prepare a harmless version of the spike protein present on the SARS-COV-2 membrane.

Also known as the third-generation vaccines, DNA-based vaccines use engineered DNA to induce a response against the virus. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this "radical new approach" offers several advantages over traditional vaccines, which include "improved vaccine stability, the absence of any infectious agent and the relative ease of large-scale manufacture."

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Unlike the other COVID vaccines currently being administered in India, ZyCOV-D will be a three dose regimen. According to Zydus Cadila, the three doses of ZyCoV-D are to be administered on day 0, day 28, and day 56. Reportedly, the company is also working on a two-dose vaccine.

As per reports, Zydus Cadila's ZyCOV-D had presented interim results from Phase-III clinical trials in over 28,000 volunteers, including 1,000 subjects in the 12-18 year age group. The study is said to have shown safety and efficacy in the interim data.

Read more: Coronavirus vaccine: How side-effects differ in younger people and older people, as per studies

Unlike any other COVID vaccine, Zydus Cadila is currently seeking approval for its needle-free vaccine, which will use the ‘Jet Injector' technique to administer the three doses. Rather than injecting the drug by piercing into the skin, the vaccine will use high-pressure to inject the liquid directly through the upper layer of the skin and into the underlying tissues.

While it may seem like a new discovery into the world of vaccines, it is an old technique, first demonstrated in 1866. This method of vaccination was also used during the 1960s for smallpox vaccination drives.

As far as needle-free vaccines are concerned, they can reduce the risk of arm soreness which is very prevalent in intramuscular injections and can also limit the emergence of side effects.

Read more: Coronavirus vaccination: The reason why your arm hurts after getting the COVID-19 vaccine

According to the statement released by the company, the study was conducted "during the peak of the second wave of COVID-19, reaffirming the vaccine's efficacy against the new mutant strains, especially the Delta variant." If approved, the COVID vaccine would be "world's first Plasmid DNA vaccine" and also "safe for children", as per the company.