Cadila Healthcare (Zydus Cadila) said it plans to soon roll out its Covid-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D for the 12-18 age group.
“We have approval from DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) for children, NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) meeting has also cleared 12-18 (age group),” Sharvil Patel, managing director of Zydus Cadila, said at the company’s earnings call on Thursday. “Once we start supplies, we will be seeing a launch in that age group as well very soon.”
Patel said the 12-18 age group still presents a decent opportunity for the company. The government has allowed vaccination of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin but is yet to decide on vaccination for those in the 12 to 15 age group. ZyCoV-D was approved for emergency use by DCGI on August 20 for those 12 years and above. The vaccine has to be given in three doses.
The government placed an order with the company to procure 10 million doses at ₹265 per dose, along with a needle-free applicator which is offered at ₹93 per dose, excluding GST. However, challenges in the ramp-up of production have delayed the launch.
The company on Wednesday said it has commenced supplies.
“The government has allocated (vaccination) centers, as on when the supplies start. We are making sure we have enough second and third doses,” Patel said. “There is the whole supplies start. We are making sure we have enough second and third doses,” Patel said. “There is whole supply chain planning done. We are rolling out one by one in all of these centers across India.”
