India’s ‘other’ COVID vaccines: The status of under-trial, approved and unused jabs

While Covishield and Covaxin lead the Covid-19 vaccination effort in India, other vaccines, too, are under development or remain unused after approval from the Centre

As India nears the 200-crore COVID-19 vaccination mark, Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Covishield accounts for 80 per cent (154 crore) of the jabs, while Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin accounts for 16.75 per cent (32 crore) jabs. 

Of the 191 crore jabs administered till now, the remaining three vaccines used — Gamelaya’s Sputnik –V, Biological E’s Corbevax and Novovax-SII’s Covovax — account only for 3.25 per cent (6.25 crore) altogether.

As of date, India has granted emergency usage authorisation (EUA) to nine COVID-19 vaccine candidates in total – Covishield, Covaxin, Covovax, Corbevax, Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D, Moderna’s Spikevax, Sputnik-V, Sputnik Light, and Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) Ad26.COV2.S.

However, only five vaccines are in use and all are indigenously produced.

ZyCoV-D:

Produced by Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila in collaboration with the Centre’s National Biopharma Mission, ZyCoV-D is India’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine. Using a plasmid DNA — a small, circular and extrachromosomal bacterial DNA — ZyCoV-D creates spike protein to develop anti-bodies to counter the COVID-19 virus. Injected in three doses with a disposable painless jet applicator at an interval of 28 days each, ZyCoV-D clocked a vaccine efficacy of 66.6 per cent.

While the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted approval to ZyCoV-D on August 20, 2021, the manufacturer and the Centre could not agree on the price for each dose. Zydus Cadila had quoted a price of Rs 1900 for its three-dose regimen and its jet applicators used for each dose. After a series of negotiations, the company reduced its cost to Rs 265 per dose and Rs 93 for the applicator – tallying to Rs 358 per dose (Rs 1074 for three doses).