Centre begins training for use of Zydus vaccine

NEW DELHI: The government has begun training vaccinators around the country on how to deliver the coronavirus vaccine developed by Zydus Cadila, an exercise that officials said is crucial since the dose is not given through conventional syringes.

Zydus Cadila’s ZYCOV-D has been granted emergency use authorisation by India’s drugs regulators, and it could become the first vaccine to be approved in children since its phase 3 trials included volunteers of ages 12 and above. “Preparation for the rollout of Zydus vaccine is currently on; training is being imparted to those involved in giving the shot at various levels. This vaccine is not administered conventionally using a syringe and a needle but through an applicator that is being used in the country for the first time. Staff is being trained at the ground level, which is a task in itself,” said VK Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog.

The vaccine was approved on August 20 but is yet to be included in the Covid-19 vaccination drive. “Apart from this, all other logistical issues are also being solved, and very soon, this vaccine will also be a part and parcel of our Covid-19 vaccination programme. In coming days we have to complete the task of vaccinating all adults, as vaccine availability is no longer an issue,” added Paul during the weekly media briefing on Covid-19 on Thursday.

As per government data, 71% of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 27% has been fully vaccinated. The government is also making preparations to deal with any surge in cases that may occur due to the upcoming festive season, the officials said.

Paul said that 836,000 hospital beds are currently available in the country for Covid-19 patients, in addition to nearly one million isolation beds. Nearly 486,000 oxygen-supported beds and 135,000 intensive care unit beds are also available. “It is good to remain prepared; as we have seen an upswing in cases in the past around festivities. People tend to drop their guard, which is not advisable at this stage of pandemic,” said Dr GC Khilnani, former head, pulmonology and sleep medicine department, AIIMS, Delhi.