Q5.What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines ?

Vaccines are crucial public health tools, preparing the immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens. They leverage the body's natural defenses to prevent infectious diseases, reducing global morbidity and mortality.

Basic Principle of Vaccine Development

The basic principle involves safely exposing the immune system to a pathogen's antigens without causing disease. This primes the body, stimulating an initial immune response for future encounters.

Mechanism of Vaccine Function

Upon vaccination, the immune system identifies antigens as foreign, producing specific antibodies and generating memory cells. These memory cells provide long-term immunity, ensuring a rapid and robust defense against future infections.

Approaches by Indian Manufacturers for COVID-19 Vaccines

Indian manufacturers adopted diverse platforms for COVID-19 vaccines:

• Inactivated Virus: Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) used whole, killed SARS-CoV-2, presenting the entire virus to the immune system.
• Viral Vector: Covishield (Serum Institute) employed a modified adenovirus to deliver genetic instructions for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, prompting its production and immune response.
• Protein Subunit: Corbevax (Biological E) utilized purified spike protein fragments to trigger immunity.
• mRNA Technology: Gennova Biopharmaceuticals also developed an indigenous mRNA vaccine, a cutting-edge approach delivering genetic material for viral protein production.

These varied approaches highlight India's strong vaccine manufacturing capabilities and its significant contribution to global health security during the COVID-19 pandemic.