GEMCOVAC­OM: India’s First mRNA Vaccine

GEMCOVAC­OM, India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, was approved under emergency use guidelines by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

21 Jun 2023

Context: 

GEMCOVAC­OM, India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, was approved under emergency use guidelines by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). 

  • This comes a year after Pune­ based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. got approval for GEMCOVAC­19 against COVID­19.

About the Vaccine:

  • GEMCOVAC­OM was stable in a 2­8 degrees Celsius range and hence could be stored in ordinary refrigerators. 
  • It could be administered into the skin via a needle free PharmaJet system.
  • It has demonstrated robust immune responses in phase 3 clinical trials conducted at 20 centres across 13 cities in India.

What is mRNA vaccine?

  • It is a new type of vaccine that uses a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) rather than part of an actual bacteria or virus. 
  • Messenger RNA is a type of RNA that is necessary for protein production.  
  • Once cells finish making a protein, they quickly break down the mRNA. 
  • mRNA from vaccines does not enter the nucleus and does not alter DNA.

Working of mRNA Vaccine:

  • mRNA vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA that corresponds to a viral protein, usually a small piece of a protein found on the virus’s outer membrane. 
  • Individuals who get an mRNA vaccine are not exposed to the virus, nor can they become infected with the virus by the vaccine.
  • By using this mRNA, cells can produce the viral protein. As part of a normal immune response, the immune system recognizes that the protein is foreign and produces specialised proteins called antibodies. 
  • If a person is exposed to a virus after receiving mRNA vaccination for it, antibodies can quickly recognize it, attach to it, and mark it for destruction before it can cause serious illness.

News Source: The Hindu

Archive Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  

by month

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Aiming for UPSC?
Begin Your Preparation Today!|

Download Our App

      
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">






    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.