Moderna: India licenses fourth Covid vaccine

Drug regulator of India, DCGI, has allowed Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Cipla to import Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for restricted emergency use in India.

Key points

Moderna’s vaccine is going to be fourth COVID-19 vaccine available in India after Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik.

About AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine Covishield

This vaccine is locally manufactured by Serum Institute of India. It was created using a weakened variant of common cold virus called adenovirus from chimps. This virus has been altered to resemble coronavirus, which will boost immune system to produce antibodies.

About Covaxin

Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine. It has been made with coronaviruses after killing them. Thus, it is safe to inject into body. It was created and being manufactured by Bharat Biotech. Immune cells in body have ability to recognise dead virus after it has been injected. It prompts immune system to produce antibodies against the coronavirus.

Sputnik Vaccine

This vaccine was created by Gamaleya Institute in Russia. It is composed of a harmless cold-type virus as a carrier which will deliver a small portion of coronavirus in body. Body then starts to manufacture antibodies which are specifically adapted to coronavirus after being vaccinated.

Moderna Vaccine

Moderna’s method of creating vaccine to protect against Covid-19 is based on messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA helps the cells to generate immunity against coronavirus. This vaccine along with Pfizer is being preferred among wealthy countries. they are more than 90% effective at preventing coronavirus.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)

DGCI is the head of department of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization in India. It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs like blood and blood products, vaccines, IV fluids, and sera in India. It works under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. it also sets standards for manufacturing, import, sales and distribution of drugs in India.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2021