Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by IGNOU Forum
Mission COVID Suraksha is a government initiative in India to provide free COVID-19 vaccination to all citizens of the country. It was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to protect the population from the virus by providing access to vaccines. The initiative is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with state and local governments and other stakeholders.
The vaccines being used in the initiative are approved by the Indian regulatory authorities and are being administered through a network of vaccination centers across the country. The goal of the initiative is to ensure that all citizens have access to the vaccine and to help curb the spread of the virus.
Objectives of Mission COVID Suraksha
The main objectives of Mission COVID Suraksha are:
- To protect the population from COVID-19 by providing access to vaccines.
- To ensure that all citizens have access to the vaccine.
- To help curb the spread of the virus.
- To strengthen the healthcare system and improve its preparedness for future pandemics.
- To promote the use of vaccines as a public health measure.
The initiative aims to achieve these objectives through a combination of vaccination campaigns, public awareness campaigns, and other measures.
Vaccines
Sputnik V
Sputnik V is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, with support from the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The vaccine uses a recombinant adenovirus vector to deliver a viral protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, to the body. This stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus, providing protection against COVID-19.
Sputnik V has been shown to be effective in clinical trials, with an efficacy rate of 91.6% according to the developers. It has been approved for use in several countries around the world, including Russia, Belarus, Argentina, and Mexico. It is also being considered for approval in other countries, including India.
Covaxin
Covaxin is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Indian pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech. It is a inactivated vaccine, which means that it is made using a killed version of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. When a person is vaccinated with Covaxin, their immune system is exposed to the killed virus, which stimulates the production of antibodies against the virus. These antibodies provide protection against COVID-19 if the person is later exposed to the live virus.
Covaxin has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials, with an efficacy rate of 81% according to the developers. It has been approved for use in India and is being used as part of the country’s vaccination efforts. It is also being considered for approval in other countries.
ZyCoV-D
ZyCoV-D is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the Indian pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila. It is a DNA vaccine, which means that it uses a small piece of the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, to stimulate the immune system. When a person is vaccinated with ZyCoV-D, their cells take up the DNA and produce viral proteins, which are then displayed on the surface of the cells. This stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus, providing protection against COVID-19 if the person is later exposed to the virus.
ZyCoV-D is currently in clinical trials and its efficacy and safety have not yet been established. The results of the trials are expected to be available in the coming months.
BNT162b2
BNT162b2 is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer and the German biotech company BioNTech. It is a mRNA vaccine, which means that it uses a small piece of the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19, to stimulate the immune system. When a person is vaccinated with BNT162b2, the mRNA instructs their cells to produce viral proteins, which are then displayed on the surface of the cells. This stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against the virus, providing protection against COVID-19 if the person is later exposed to the virus.
BNT162b2 has been shown to be highly effective in clinical trials, with an efficacy rate of 95% according to the developers. It has been approved for use in several countries around the world and is being used as part of vaccination efforts to protect against COVID-19.
