In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: 1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform. 2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform. 3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Contents13
- A1 and 2 only
- B2 and 3 only
- C1 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
The answer is (B) Statements 2 and 3 only.
Statement 1 is WRONG:
Covishield is NOT an mRNA vaccine.
It uses a chimpanzee adenovirus (a harmless virus modified to carry coronavirus spike protein instructions).
It's a viral vector vaccine, similar to AstraZeneca's vaccine.
mRNA vaccines are Pfizer and Moderna.
Statement 2 is CORRECT:
Sputnik V (Russia) is a viral vector vaccine.
It uses two different human adenoviruses (Ad26 and Ad5) to deliver the coronavirus spike protein gene.
"Vector" means using a harmless virus as a delivery vehicle.
Statement 3 is CORRECT:
COVAXIN (by Bharat Biotech) uses the actual coronavirus that has been killed/inactivated.
Your body sees the dead virus, learns to fight it, but can't get infected.
This is the "inactivated pathogen" approach — the oldest vaccine-making technique.
Quick comparison:
- Covishield = viral vector
- Sputnik = viral vector
- COVAXIN = inactivated virus
- Pfizer/Moderna = mRNA.
COVID-19 vaccine development involved multiple platforms - viral vector (Covishield, Sputnik V), inactivated virus (COVAXIN), and mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna) - making it crucial to distinguish between these technologies.
The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020-2022 made vaccine platforms a major current affairs topic, with India's vaccine diplomacy and domestic production becoming key policy discussions.
COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms & Technologies
Science And Technology mRNA platform vector based platform inactivated pathogen
COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms: mRNA, Viral Vector & Inactivated Virus
mRNA vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) use genetic instructions, not actual virus
Viral vector vaccines (Covishield, Sputnik V) use harmless virus to deliver coronavirus genes
Inactivated vaccines (COVAXIN) use killed coronavirus particles
Each platform triggers immunity differently but targets the same spike protein
Platform Basics
COVID-19 vaccines use three main technological approaches to train the immune system. Each platform delivers the coronavirus spike protein information differently — some use genetic instructions, others use carrier viruses, and traditional vaccines use the actual killed virus.
Major Vaccine Platforms
Platform Type | How It Works | Examples | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
mRNA | Delivers genetic code to make spike protein | Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna | No virus used, just instructions |
Viral Vector | Uses harmless virus to carry spike protein gene | Covishield, Sputnik V, J&J | Modified virus as delivery vehicle |
Inactivated Virus | Uses killed coronavirus particles | COVAXIN, Sinovac, Sinopharm | Traditional vaccine approach |
Protein Subunit | Direct injection of spike protein pieces | Novavax, Corbevax | Purified protein with adjuvants |
Trap: Covishield is NOT mRNA — it uses chimpanzee adenovirus (viral vector)
Trap: Don't confuse inactivated (killed virus) with attenuated (weakened live virus)
Trap: Sputnik V uses two different adenoviruses (Ad26 + Ad5), not one
Trap: Vector-based means using a carrier virus, not the target virus itself
Indian COVID-19 Vaccines
Science And Technology Covishield COVAXIN Serum Institute
Indian COVID-19 Vaccines: Covishield vs COVAXIN
Covishield by Serum Institute = viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca technology)
COVAXIN by Bharat Biotech = inactivated virus vaccine (indigenous)
India became world's largest vaccine manufacturer during pandemic
Indian Vaccine Comparison
Vaccine | Manufacturer | Platform | Technology Source | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Covishield | Serum Institute of India | Viral Vector | AstraZeneca (UK) | Chimpanzee adenovirus carrier |
COVAXIN | Bharat Biotech | Inactivated Virus | Indigenous (with ICMR) | Whole killed coronavirus |
Corbevax | Biological E | Protein Subunit | Licensed from Baylor College | Receptor-binding domain protein |
ZyCoV-D | Zydus Cadila | DNA | Indigenous | First DNA vaccine globally |
Manufacturing Significance
Serum Institute is world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume
COVAXIN was India's first indigenous COVID vaccine with WHO approval
India supplied vaccines to 95+ countries through Vaccine Maitri program
Emergency Use Authorization given by DCGI (Drug Controller General of India)
Covishield ≠ mRNA — it's the same technology as AstraZeneca (viral vector)
COVAXIN is fully Indian — developed with ICMR and NIV Pune
Serum Institute makes Covishield, Bharat Biotech makes COVAXIN
Both vaccines got WHO Emergency Use Listing but at different times
Sputnik V Vaccine Technology
Science And Technology Sputnik V
Sputnik V: Dual Vector COVID-19 Vaccine
Sputnik V uses two different human adenoviruses as vectors
First dose uses Ad26, second dose uses Ad5 adenovirus
Developed by Gamaleya Institute, Russia
Dual Vector Approach
Sputnik V uses a unique two-vector strategy — different adenoviruses for each dose. This prevents the immune system from attacking the vector itself in the second dose, ensuring better effectiveness.
How Sputnik V Works
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**First Dose**
**Ad26** adenovirus carries coronavirus spike gene into cells`"]
s2["`**Immune Response**
Body produces antibodies against spike protein AND Ad26 vector`"]
s3["`**Second Dose**
**Ad5** adenovirus (different vector) delivers same spike gene`"]
s4["`**Enhanced Immunity**
Strong response as body doesn't attack the new Ad5 vector`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Global Status
WHO approval granted in 2021 after initial hesitation
Manufactured in India by Dr. Reddy's under license
Used in 70+ countries worldwide
Efficacy rate around 91.6% in clinical trials
Vaccine Development Platforms
Science And Technology
Modern Vaccine Development Platforms & Mechanisms
Live attenuated vaccines use weakened but living pathogens
Inactivated vaccines use killed pathogens (safest approach)
mRNA/DNA vaccines are newest technology using genetic instructions
Viral vectors use harmless viruses as delivery vehicles
Vaccine Platform Types
# Vaccine Platforms
## Traditional
- Live Attenuated
- Inactivated/Killed
- Toxoid
- Conjugate
## Modern
- mRNA
- DNA
- Viral Vector
- Protein Subunit
## Advantages
- Rapid Development
- Higher Efficacy
- Better Safety Profile
- Scalable ProductionPlatform Comparison
Platform | Development Time | Safety Level | Immune Response | Example Diseases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Live Attenuated | Long | Moderate | Strong & lasting | MMR, Polio (oral) |
Inactivated | Medium | High | Moderate | Polio (injection), Hepatitis A |
mRNA | Very Fast | High | Strong | COVID-19 (Pfizer, Moderna) |
Viral Vector | Fast | High | Strong | COVID-19 (Covishield), Ebola |
Protein Subunit | Medium | Very High | Moderate | Hepatitis B, HPV |