Rewind the journey of 2021: From Covid-19 epidemic, ‘to billion’ vaccination. ‘A Glorious Triumph’
Another year is fast approaching in the middle of the corona epidemic, panic with a new variant Omicron numbers high in some countries. In addition to the bitter memories left by Covid in 2021, as in the past, many unforeseen and unexpected developments were taken place in the country in developing Covid-19 Vaccines and delivering. At the beginning of the year, the fear of Covid 19 triggered stresses frightened the whole country. The ‘billion vaccine’ achievement of India in the fight against the pandemic has not only built confidence in India but also has brought international accolade. As we enter the New Year, let us recall the key developments and have a look what has taken place in India this year with Coronavirus.
Vaccine Candidates protection for Corona
The government had launched earlier this year the Corona vaccine distribution to protect the public from the worst ravages of the corona outbreak. Emergency approvals have been issued for the indigenous vaccines Covaxin and Covishield. The vaccine will be available from January 16. In the first phase, it was administered to the health care workers and frontline workers. After that, the vaccination was extended in a scheduled manner to the general public. The Covid-19 surge shocked the entire country and put people in grief. Thousands of people died and millions of people suffered in this adverse incident which shook the entire nation resulting in a wrenching loss of loved ones apart from the economic crisis.
The unforgotten death cry left by the epidemic.
People trembled with fear and falls like leaves during the second wave of the corona. It looks like seismic noise earlier this year. Every day millions of new cases as well as thousands of people fall victim to the epidemic. The situation in the country deteriorated at that time. Due to the rise of Covid deaths parks and parking lots turns into cemeteries lonely last journey, death, the dignity of lost rights lost completely. The sight of relatives waiting with the corpses for the funeral as all the pyres in the cemetery including unclaimed corpses was constantly burning touched hearts.
Unable to provide/supply oxygen for the needy
During the second wave of the corona, the requirement of the oxygen for corona patients increased exponentially with an increased number of patients. This led to an increase in hospital admissions and a shortage of beds and oxygen. In some hospitals, two or three patients have to be treated on a single bed with one oxygen cylinder with limited ventilators. Families of patients stand in queues to find a bed and struggled to get a portable oxygen cylinder.
‘Billion’ record in vaccination mark
In the middle of many do’s and don’ts, India has written a new chapter in by Covid vaccine distribution. Vaccination started in the country on January 16. On the 279th day, it crossed the billion Covid dose milestones, on 21st October, the vaccine distribution in the country crossed 100 crores doses, a rare remarkable feat. The nations of the world rejoiced at the achievement of this record. The relentless struggle of the scientists over the period has paid off.
Emergency approval for two more vaccines:
India has approved two vaccines Kovovax, Carbivax and one antiviral drug Molnupiravir under emergency use. The expert committee of the Central Drug Standards Authority (CDSCO) has recommended that approvals.
Carbivax: This vaccine was developed by Hyderabad based company Biological-E, It contains the receptor binding domain of (RBD) version of the spike protein, the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes Covid. It should be taken in two doses. It was developed with the same technology as the Hepatitis-B vaccine.
Kovovax: Developed by Novavax in the US, manufactured by Serum Institute of India under the name Kovovax. This vaccine, which contains purified components of the virus, helps to enhance immunity.
Molunpiravir: Antiviral drug manufactured by the American company Merck. The drug will be going too manufactured by 13 companies in India. It will be provided under emergency use to those at high risk of Covid infection.
Covid epidemic challenges with new variants:
India is moving a head with strategies to counter Covid effectively So far a total of 8 vaccines and 4 treatments already have been approved.
Covishield: A serum developed by Astrazeneca in collaboration with the University of Oxford is developed by serum Institute of India. This vaccine works by targeting the spike protein.
Covaxin: is an indigenous vaccine developed by Bharat biotech a Hyderabad based company, the vaccine was developed by ICMR in collaboration with NIV using inactivated virus.
Sputnik-V: The vaccine was developed by the Gamalea Research Institute in Russia. It was developed with a combination of two adenoviruses Ad5 and Ad26.
Zykov-D: DNA based vaccine developed by Zydus Cadila from Ahmadabad. The vaccine should be taken in three doses. The vaccine is given with a special applicator that does not require a syringe.The blueprint gene that modifies the virus genome is injected into the body in the form of a vaccine.
Moderna: The two dose vaccine was developed by the American company Moderna with the help Mrna genetic code. This viral protein trains to develop the immunity.
Johnson & Johnson: It was created by Johnson and Johnson an American basd company. A single dose vaccine made with adenovirus vector
REGEN-COV2 Antibody Cocktail: This cocktail offers antibody treatment with a combination of Casirivimab and Imdevimab monoclonal antibodies. It is especially given to Covid victims who have mild to moderate symptoms
Tosilizumab: This medicine is manufactured by Roche in Switzerland. Cipla company will import this drug and supply in Inida. This drug is made for patients with rheumatoid arthritis will be used to treat lung infections in Covid patients.
2-DG (2-deoxy-D-glucose): This drug was developed by Dr Reddy’s Lab in collaboration with DRDO. Its should be taken orally. The glycolysis method inhibits the virus growth.
When the Indian populations are taking little relief with a less recoded number of cases day by day and slowly crawling to normal life, another wave in the form of omicron appears to be heading towards India, the USA and Europe are facing the new variant Omicron heat now. Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged all population and state administrations where omicron cases are rising to take proactive measures to prevent a third wave. Prevention is better than cure by taking appropriate precautions. With hope, we will invite an exciting New Year 2022.
Author By:
N.K. Prasanna ( Scientist at CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi)
S K. Varshney ( Head, International Cooperation, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi)
