Whole virus inactivated vaccine of COVID-19 is?

NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 2 -2021 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Covaxin is a whole-virion inactivated vaccine, meaning it contains SARS-CoV-2 viruses that have been chemically killed.
It was developed in India by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).
The inactivated virus cannot replicate or cause disease but presents the full range of viral proteins to the immune system, prompting a robust antibody response.

Option A: Covishield is not an inactivated vaccine. It is a viral vector vaccine that uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus as a vector.
Option C: Sputnik V is a viral vector vaccine, not an inactivated virus vaccine. It uniquely uses two different human adenovirus vectors for its two doses.
Option D: Moderna is an mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine. This is a newer technology that uses genetic material to instruct cells to make the viral protein, rather than introducing any part of the virus itself.

Visual 1: Infographic - A diagram comparing the mechanisms of action for different vaccine platforms: Inactivated Virus, Viral Vector, and mRNA. This would visually clarify how each vaccine type stimulates the immune system differently.
Visual 2: Table - A summary table of major COVID-19 vaccines, their types, number of doses, and efficacy rates, providing a quick reference for students.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of COVID-19 Vaccines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient education regarding vaccinations. Understanding the different types of COVID-19 vaccines helps in addressing patient queries, explaining potential side effects, and dispelling misinformation.
Knowledge of vaccine platforms is essential for managing and reporting adverse events following immunization (AEFI), as some rare side effects have been linked to specific vaccine technologies (e.g., thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome with certain viral vector vaccines).
What if? If a patient has a known severe allergy to a component like polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is found in mRNA vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer), a nurse should recognize this as a contraindication and ensure an alternative vaccine type, such as an inactivated or viral vector vaccine, is considered after consulting with a physician.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Whole virus inactivated vaccine'. This is the specific type of vaccine you need to identify.
Next, review the options provided: Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik, and Moderna.
This is a factual recall question. Access your knowledge about the different COVID-19 vaccine platforms.
Recall or deduce the technology behind each vaccine. Covishield and Sputnik are viral vectors, Moderna is mRNA.
This leaves Covaxin, which is correctly identified as the whole-virion inactivated vaccine developed in India.
Select the option that matches the definition in the question stem.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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