WHY IS THE CORONA-VIRUS VACCINE IMPORTANT

 

The whole world is struggling to deal with the spread of SARS-CoV-2. As we all are aware of the efforts of various groups of scientists to find a vaccine suitable to combat the spread of this deadly disease. Vaccination is the only possible way to deal with this pandemic as it helps in maintaining a healthy population by preventing various microorganisms from attacking us and hence prevents millions of deaths.

The word ‘vaccine’ and ‘vaccination’ both have been derived from a cowpox virus known as VACCINIA.

 

WHY DO WE VACCINATE?

All of us have been vaccinated at some point in our lives, but have you ever thought of why do we vaccinate? 

Vaccination not only protects us from serious diseases, but it also helps our immune system to develop protection against several infectious diseases for the future, too, and this is why it is also known as immunization.

 

HOW DOES VACCINATION WORK?

In layman terms, we can call vaccination as a way of artificially activating our immune systems to fight against different infectious diseases.

Vaccination basically contains the microorganisms or viruses in the weakened, live o,r killed state. The minor doses given activates the immune system to recognize and fight against specific germs so that when we get exposed to the same microorganisms in the future, there’s a much lower risk of getting sick.

Most vaccines are administered by injection as they are not readily absorbed through the intestines.

 

It has been estimated by the World Health Organization that two to three million deaths are prevented with the use of vaccines.

 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINES

    • Exploratory stagePre –clinical 
    • Clinical development
    • Regulatory review and approval
    • Manufacturing 
    • Quality control

 

Computer algorithms are first used to test the vaccines on how they interact with the immune system. If passed, then it is tested on cells in culture. If found successful, it then undergoes animal testing on animals like mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, and monkeys. After successful results, further human trials are carried out. The Human trial takes place in three phases, then forwarded to higher phases if found safe.

 

INDIA IS THE LARGEST VACCINE MANUFACTURER IN THE WORLD.

We all are now fed up and bored sitting at home, working from home, as it has been long since we have met our friends or went to concerts or public events.

Since March, we have been facing this lockdown, and now it has been heights. Everybody has now added sanitizers and masks in their daily-use products.

The only thing that we are waiting for is the vaccine against this tiny yet dangerous virus- Covid-19.

The vaccine is the most important thing as the virus spreads easily, and the majority of the world’s population is vulnerable to it.

More than 165 vaccines are under process, out of which 27 are undergoing human trials.

 

What is COVAX?

The accessibility to COVID-19 for every rich as well as poor country is possible only with the help of this facility known as COVAX. As of now, 75 countries have come together and joined this COVAX facility.

The countries, with the help of their own public finance budgets, would finance the vaccine.

Lower-income countries would also be partnered with these countries to provide voluntary donations.

The vaccine would be first prioritized to healthcare workers, along with these participating countries.

 

INDIAN CONTEXT TO DEVELOPMENT OF VACCINE FOR COVID -19

India is making every possible effort, like many other countries, to combat this pandemic, which is only possible by the development of the successful vaccine against Covid-19.

Thirty Indian companies are trying to produce vaccines, out of which seven candidates have received approval from the World Health Organization.

 

DETAILS OF SOME VACCINES ARE GIVEN BELOW-

COVAXIN

Hyderabad –based Bharat Biotech International Limited, in collaboration with ICMR and NIV, Pune, has developed this. Phase, I and II of clinical testing have been initiated. Out of all, it is the first vaccine to get regulatory approval.

Basically, in this inactive form of the virus has been used to initiate the production of antibodies in the host body.

 

Zyvox-D vaccine

Zydus Cadila in Ahmedabad has developed this. This virus has entered Phase I trials of the vaccine.

 

OTHER INDIAN COMPANIES THAT GAINED World Health Organizations’S APPROVAL FOR VACCINES

 

Indian Immunological Limited

Mynvax COVID vaccine

Biological E

 

 

Hope you find this article informative, have a nice day. Stay safe, Stay healthy. 

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