Is there a DNA based vaccine for the COVID-19 virus and its variants?

 One more arrow at the heart of this Wuhan virus.

"BENGALURU, Aug 20 (Reuters) - India's drug regulator has granted emergency use approval for Zydus Cadila's COVID-19 vaccine, the world's first DNA shot against the coronavirus, in adults and children aged 12 years and above." - Reuters

This is the second homegrown vaccine ( Zycov-D  ) made by the generic drug maker Cadila Health Care of India. The first one, also approved is the Covaxin. It is a needle-free vaccine that does not need very low temperatures. The late-stage trial had 28000 participants with about 1000 in the lower age group (12 to 18).

https://www.zyduscadila.com/

More here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-57774294 

https://www.axios.com/india-first-dna-covid-vaccine-f07c5105-893c-473f-8c60-8b5aaef28e5a.html

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/india-approves-zydus-cadilas-covid-19-vaccine-emergency-use-2021-08-20/

Is nasal delivery of COVID-19 vaccine available?

 Yes, it is going into Phase I and Phase II testing.

The COVAXIN vaccine developed by Bharath Biotech is now getting ready to try the nasal variant, which according to Dr. Gillurkar from a site chosen to monitor COVAXI vaccine efficacy. As COVAXIN is whole-virion inactivated, it targets all parts of the virus and makes it more effective.

Source: Gillurkar's Hospital- Facebook

The Nasal variant in a Phase I and Phase II study will start at Dr.Gillurkar's Hospital in Nagpur, India. The injectable variant Phase I and Phase II studies were completed at this hospital. According to Dr. Gillurkar, "We are all set to host the trials for nasal Covaxine in next two weeks. Enough scientific evidences are available that vaccines given through nasal route are more effective than injected ones". 

The other advantages of nasal route are no brainer. It will drive the cost so far down that it may emerge as the most preferred.

Read more at:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/80127595.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst "


Also read:

https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/medical/covaxin-controversy-doctors-in-trial-sites-chosen-by-icmr-say-human-trials-cant-be-fast-forwarded-anticipate-6-month-observation-period/ar-BB16oNfo

Is an electric battery without lithium or zinc feasible?

Looks like it is. The Aluminum | Air battery appears to be feasible. Actually, it is a fuel cell rather than a traditional battery. Well, it is not rechargeable but do not worry. Just pull out the Aluminum electrode and replace it with a fresh electrode. This is just the kind of device needed for a country like India which does not have significant lithium resources. The nice thing is, these batteries can be produced 100% indigenously.

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is in collaboration with Israel for the development of these batteries and IOC (https://iocl.com/aboutus/profile.aspx) is a serious company.

Read more here:

https://www.electrive.com/2019/08/31/indian-oil-aims-to-produce-battery-cells/

Mahindra is also interested. Maybe the auto-rickshaws will run on these. I pray this happens, the low-grade gas these run on is responsible for most respiratory ailments.

https://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/indian-oil-and-israel%E2%80%99s-phinergy-test-aluminiumair-battery-on-mahindra-treo-78264

Ashok Leyland is also interested:

https://www.autocarpro.in/news-national/ashok-leyland-israels-phinergy-develop-electric-cv-solutions-27814

Even Renault and Nissan are interested: Watch the YouTube Video

https://youtu.be/KRlxwTNnq9E

Source for the above: https://www.hybridcars.com/renault-nissan-to-use-phinergys-aluminum-air-battery/

Video source:https://www.autoblog.com/2019/10/22/aluminum-air-electric-car-battery/

What does SAARC stand for?

SAARC is an abbreviation for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation founded in December 1985.

There are 8 countries that belong to this association. They are:

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka

21% of World Population live here on a 3% area of the World (Wikipedia)