UPSC Articles
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.
