Q. In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik. V vaccine is manufactured using vector-based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: b) 2 and 3 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper
Explanation :
The correct statements are:
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector-based platform.
Sputnik V, developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute, is indeed a vector-based vaccine. It uses two different human adenoviruses (rAd26 and rAd5) in a two-dose regimen to deliver the genetic material for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The use of two different vectors for the two shots is intended to boost the immune response by minimizing the chance of the immune system developing resistance to the vector itself.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.
COVAXIN, developed by Bharat Biotech in India, is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine. It is made by inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which means the virus is killed so that it cannot replicate, but it can still trigger an immune response when introduced into the body.
Explanation:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced the COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield, but it is not based on the mRNA platform. Covishield is developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca and is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India under license. It uses a viral vector platform, specifically a modified chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1), to deliver the genetic material that codes for the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This allows the body’s immune system to recognize and respond to the spike protein without being exposed to the actual virus.
Therefore, the correct answer is “2 and 3 only.”
