PIB Analysis 6th July 2020

Indigenous Indian COVID-19 Vaccines

Context

The Drug Controller General of India CDSCO (The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) has given the nod for the conduct of the human trials for both “COVAXIN” by Bharat Biotech and “ZyCov-D” Vaccine by Zydus Cadila .

Vaccine race

More than 140 candidate vaccines are under various stages of development.
One of the leading candidates is AZD1222 developed Jenner Institute of University of Oxford and licenced to AstraZeneca.
The MRNA-1273 vaccine developed by Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Washington and taken up for production by the US-based Moderna pharmaceutical is just a step behind.
Both these firms have already inked an agreement with Indian manufacturers for production of the COVID vaccines.
Along with the two Indian vaccines, COVAXIN and ZyCov-D, the world over, 11 out of 140 vaccine candidates have entered the human trials.

Immune system

Antigen from the pathogen and antibodies produced by the human immune cells can be thought of as matching the compatible pair.
Every pathogen has specific molecular structures called antigen.
Once infected by the germ, the human immune system develops antibodies that match the antigen.
If the pathogen is a known enemy, the immune system can pull the matching antibodies. Once the match is made the pathogen is inactivated. No longer it can infect.
However, if the microorganism is unfamiliar the antibody can evolve.
If only the immune system can neutralise the germ instantly, the infection can be prevented.

Immune System Memory and Vaccine

Once the new antibody matching the antigen evolves, it is retained in the immunological memory.
Next time the same pathogen invades, immunological memory gets activated, and the twinned antibody is released. The infection is nipped in the bud. We acquire immunity.
A vaccine is a method to artificially inducing the immunological memory. Once the antigens of the pathogen are introduced, the immune system is triggered into developing pairing antibodies and immunological memory.
From adenovirus-based live-attenuated virus to recombinant genetic technology is used to develop several types of vaccines.
Two among the various possibilities produced in India are inactivated virus vaccine and DNA plasmid vaccine.

How the Vaccines work

We can inactivate a whole virus with heat or formaldehyde (that is 'killed'), yet keep the antigen molecular structures still intact.
However, the inactivated virus will not be able to infect or cause disease, as it is no longer functional.
The Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN uses the virus isolated from an Indian patient by the National Institute of Virology to develop the inactivated virus vaccine.

Novel Coronavirus Vaccine

Novel Cornovarious infects the human cells with the help of its spike proteins.
The spike protein of the virus binds with the ACE2 receptors on the surface of the human respiratory tract cells.
Once the virus fuses, the viral genome is slipped into the human cell where around a thousand copies of the virus are made in just ten hours.
Infection can be arrested if only we can deactivate the spike protein of the novel coronavirus.
Thus the antigen on the spike protein is a crucial vaccine target.
If the antibody blocks the spike protein, then the virus cannot bind the cell and multiply.
The genomic code of the spike protein is spliced into a harmless DNA plasmid.
This modified plasmid DNA with the genetic code of viral spike protein is introduced into the host cells. The cellular machinery translates the DNA and produces the viral protein encoded in the genome.
The human immune system recognises the alien protein and develops a matching antibody.

After this vaccination, if at any time, we are infected by the novel coronavirus, then sensing the spike protein antibodies are released instantly.

The immune killer cells seize deactivated viruses. Contagion is arrested even before infection sets in.

The vaccine for novel coronavirus may be developed anywhere in the world, but without Indian manufacturers involved the production of required quantities is not going to be feasible.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1636625

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Locust Control Operations

Context

A Bell Helicopter in Jaisalmer,Rajasthan completed its mission of chemical spraying in targeted areas; thereby augmenting the locust control efforts and adding a new dimension in locust control activities.

From 11th April 2020, locust control operations have been done in around 2.5 lakh hectares area in States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Haryana and Bihar

To read more about Locus Control Operations - Click Here

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1636622

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Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan

Context

Jal Jeevan Mission aims at providing household tap connections to every rural household and offers a huge opportunity to engage skilled, semi-skilled and migrant returnees in drinking water supply related works under GKRA.

This ambitious campaign will not only improve the lives of rural people by providing household tap connections through implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, but also create rural employment and boost the rural economy.

To read more about Gardib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan - Click Here

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1636608