SII’s Covishield gets emergency-use nod from DGCI

The Subject Expert committee that is advising the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) recommended restricted Emergency Use Authorisation for COVISHIELD. COVISHIELD vaccine was developed by Serum Institute of India.

Who manufactures COVISHIELD?

The COVISHIELD the vaccine is developed by the University of Oxford and the British Pharmaceutical major Astra Zeneca. In India, the vaccine is to be made and marketed by Pune Serum Institute of India.

How does the COVISHIELD vaccine work?

The COVISHIELD vaccine uses harmless virus to transport genetic material in order to trigger the immune response to the COVID-19 virus.

How does COVISHIELD vaccine differ from the others?

The COVAXIN of Bharat Biotech is a whole virus inactivated vaccine. The vaccine developed by Pfizer takes messenger RNA approach. It Transforms the the human body cells into vaccine making factories.

Who conducted the COVISHIELD the trials in India?

The COVISHIELD trials in India were conducted by the Serum Institute of India.

How were the trials of COVISHIELD conducted in India?

Around 1600 volunteers were injected with the vaccine during the COVISHIELD trials in India.

What were the concerns raised from COVISHIELD trials?

One serious adverse event with neurological disorder was reported in Chennai after COVISHIELD trials.

What is the dosage of COVISHIELD vaccine?

Two full doses of COVISHIELD vaccine are to be given in India.

How many covid-19 doses will India need to vaccinate its essential service workers?

India will need 30 million doses of covid-19 vaccine to vaccinate the essential service workers including Healthcare professionals, police staff and Municipal staff.

 What is the current scenario of covid-19 vaccines in India?

Around 6 vaccines are under various stages of clinical trials in India. Of these four are being indigenously developed. The clinical trials of COVAXIN by the Bharat Biotech is under phase 3. Bharat Biotech is conducting the largest trials of COVID-19 vaccine. It is testing the vaccine on more than 26,000 volunteers.

The Vaccine of Zydus Cadila is under Phase II clinical trial. The Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is conducting the Phase II and Phase III clinical trials of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021