Pneumosil: First pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

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.