Dikhyaa Mohanty 
After the talks between the Central government and Zydus Cadila over the pricing of the COVID-19 vaccine, the pharma company is learnt to have proposed ₹1,900 for its three-dose jab that can be given to those above 12 years of age.
According to the reports, the government stated that it is negotiating for a reduction in price and a final decision on it is likely to be taken this week. The indigenously developed, world’s first DNA-based needle-free COVID-19 vaccine by Zydus Cadila will be introduced in the nationwide anti-coronavirus vaccination drive shortly.
Further the report added that the ZyCoV-D has to be differently priced from Covaxin and Covishield as, apart from being a three-dose vaccine, there is a needle-free jet injector used for administering the vaccine that costs ₹30,000. That jet injector can be used for administering around 20,000 doses. The vaccine is to be given on days zero, 28 and 56.
The vaccine ZyCoV-D received Emergency Use Authorisation from the drug regulator on August 20 making it the first vaccine to be administered in the age-group of 12 to 18 besides adults. Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are being given to only those above 18 years of age and unlike ZyCoV-D, these are two-dose vaccines.
