Zycov-D

Why in news?

• The Drug Controller General has granted emergency approval to the Zycov-D, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadilla group, on 20^th August, making it the first vaccine in India that can be administered to adults as well as those 12 and above.

About Zycov-D

• ZyCov-D is a ‘plasmid DNA’ vaccine  or a vaccine that uses a genetically engineered, non-replicating version of a type of DNA molecule known as a ‘plasmid’.
• It's the only DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine in the world and can be administered without a needle, purportedly minimising chances of reactions.
• The vaccine has been developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha'
• This is the fifth vaccine, after Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V and Moderna to be approved for use in India

How it works?

• The plasmids in this vaccine are coded with the instructions to make the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.
• Vaccination gives the code to cells in the recipient’s body, so they can begin making the spiky outer layer of the virus.
• The immune system is expected to recognize this as a threat and develop antibodies in response.

What are DNA and RNA Vaccines?

• Traditional vaccines, which expose the body to proteins made by a virus or bacteria, are often made by using weakened or inactive versions of that virus or bacteria.
• That’s how popular vaccines, like polio vaccine, BCG vaccine etc works.
• When you get the polio vaccine, for example, your body is introduced to weakened forms of the polio viruses that do not cause disease >> This triggers an immune response and causes your body to make antibodies like it would with a natural infection.
• These antibodies help recognize and fight the virus should you be exposed to it later on, helping prevent you from getting sick.
• A DNA or RNA vaccine has the same goal as traditional vaccines, but they work slightly differently.
• Instead of injecting a weakened form of a virus or bacteria into the body, DNA and RNA vaccines use part of the virus’ own genes to stimulate an immune response.
• In other words, they carry the genetic instructions for the host’s cells to make antigens

PRACTICE QUESTION

With reference to ‘Zycov-D’, recently seen in news, consider the following statements:

1. The vaccine has been developed in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha'

2. It's the first DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine in the world

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer