“ICMR DISAVOWS BHU STUDY ON COVAXIN, CITES CRITICAL FLAWS”

Why in the news?

  • The ICMR disassociated from a BHU study on Covaxin, citing no financial or technical support and critical design flaws.
  • ICMR criticized the study for lacking a control group and proper documentation of adverse events.
Source:IndiaToday

Key Points about COVAXIN:

  • “COVAXIN is India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
  • Type: Inactivated vaccine
  • Development: Inactivates (kills) live microorganisms causing the disease
  • Mechanism:Destroys pathogen’s ability to replicate
  • Targets:Spike protein and Nucleocapsid protein (virus shell enclosing genetic material)
  • Significance: Contains immunogens (epitopes) from other genes in addition to Spike protein
About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

  • Apex body in India for formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.
  • One of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.
  • 1911: Government of India established the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA)
  • 1949: IRFA was redesignated as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) after independence.
  • Governing Body: Presided over by the Union Health Minister
  • Funding: Funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

About Banaras Hindu University (BHU):

  • Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Established: 1916
  • Origins: Incorporated the Central Hindu College founded by Annie Besant in 1898.
  • Founding Figures:Madan Mohan Malaviya, supported by Maharaja of Darbhanga Rameshwar Singh, Maharaja of Benares Prabhu Narayan Singh, and lawyer Sunder Lal.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/serious-adverse-events-may-occur-in-1-of-covaxin-recipients/