![vaccine-6522911_960_720](https://genomeden.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/vaccine-6522911_960_720-696x430.jpg)
India’s ZyCoV-D is the world’s first DNA COVID-19 vaccine. With research growing globally in the field of vaccines to combat COVID-19, India has taken a step forward by developing DNA COVID-19 Vaccine.
A Successful DNA vaccine is the Future of Vaccinology
ZyCoV-D is the first DNA COVID-19 vaccine produced by Indian Pharmaceutical firm Zydus Cadilla. They claim that their vaccine remains stable at 25 degrees Celcius for at least 3 months. This makes vaccine storage and transport easy. The human trials involving 28,000 subjects showed an efficacy rate of 64% with ZyCoV-D. This DNA vaccine contains circular DNA called Plasmid. This encodes the spike protein of coronavirus. Plasmid enters the nucleus and is converted to mRNA.
![man using microscope](https://genomeden.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/s7-wu8xmkx8-1024x683.jpg)
This mRNA is further translated to viral spike protein. The body’s immune system recognizes the spike protein as a pathogen and immune cells are produced. This guides immune system to get activated on future encounters with the virus. Plasmid degrades within weeks to months, but immune remains the same.
![woman injecting girl's left arm](https://genomeden.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/9mvmgp2zhgs-1024x677.jpg)
The ZyCoV-D requires 3 doses, unlike other vaccines that require 1 or 2 doses. Despite more doses, it is easy to deliver as vaccine administration is needle-free. ZyCoV-D is manufactured in such a way that it can be deposited under the skin.DNA vaccines in general are easy to manufacture. They are more stable than mRNA vaccines and cost-effective.