Pneumosil: First pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

  • IASbaba
  • December 29, 2020
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Pneumosil: First pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health & GS-III – Sci & tech

In news 

  • Union Health Minister inaugurated India’s first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine “Pneumosil”.

Key takeaways 

  • It has been developed by the Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SIIPL) in collaboration with various other partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • This Indigenous Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine will be available in the market under the brand name “Pneumosil” at an affordable price in a single dose (vial and pre-filled syringe) and Multidose (vial) presentations.
  • Pneumosil is effective in the prevention of Pneumonia disease.

Important value additions 

Pneumonia

  • It is an Infection that inflames air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid.
  • With pneumonia, the air sacs may fill with fluid or pus.
  • The infection can be life-threatening to anyone, but particularly to infants, children and people over 65.
  • Symptoms: A cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.
  • Antibiotics can treat many forms of pneumonia. 
  • Some forms of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccines.
  • A common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

Do you know? 

  • A conjugate vaccine is a substance that is composed of a polysaccharide antigen fused (conjugated) to a carrier molecule. 
  • This enhances the stability and the effectiveness of the vaccine.

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