UPSC Prelims 2022 Q39: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID - 19 pandemic, consider the
following statements:
1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID - 19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA
platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
COVID-19 vaccine platforms
| Vaccine | Maker | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Covishield | Serum Institute of India (Oxford–AstraZeneca design) | Viral vector — a chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1) |
| Sputnik V | Gamaleya Institute, Russia | Viral vector — two human adenoviruses (Ad26 and Ad5) |
| Covaxin | Bharat Biotech with ICMR–NIV | Inactivated (killed) whole virus |
| Pfizer, Moderna | USA/Germany | mRNA |
| ZyCoV-D | Zydus Cadila | DNA vaccine (world's first for humans) |
Checking the statements:
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 1. Covishield uses mRNA | Wrong — it is a viral vector vaccine |
| 2. Sputnik V is vector-based | Correct |
| 3. Covaxin is inactivated | Correct |
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false; Covishield is a viral vector vaccine, not mRNA.
- (b) CORRECT. Sputnik V is vector-based and Covaxin is an inactivated-virus vaccine.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false, and it leaves out the true Statement 2.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false, so 'all three' fails.
Key point
Covishield & Sputnik V = viral vector; Covaxin = inactivated virus; Pfizer/Moderna = mRNA; ZyCoV-D = DNA.
Remember
Covishield and Sputnik V are viral-vector vaccines; Covaxin is inactivated.
Common mistakes
- Calling Covishield an mRNA vaccine; it uses an adenovirus vector.
- Confusing Covaxin (inactivated) with Covovax (protein subunit, Novavax design).
- Forgetting ZyCoV-D as the world's first DNA vaccine for humans.
Exam tip
Match vaccine to platform in a table. UPSC swaps platforms between vaccine names.
Sources
- ICMR — COVID-19 vaccine information
- CDSCO — Emergency use authorisations (2021)
- WHO — COVID-19 vaccine tracker