COVISHIELD, the COVID Vaccine of India is being manufactured by _________. 

The correct answer is Serum Institute.

Key Points

• COVISHIELD is one of the primary COVID-19 vaccines used in India.
• It is developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.
• The vaccine is manufactured and distributed in India by the Serum Institute of India (SII), located in Pune.
• The Serum Institute is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume and has played a crucial role in supplying COVID-19 vaccines globally.
• It uses a viral vector platform to stimulate an immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Additional Information

• Viral Vector Vaccines
  • These vaccines use a modified version of a different virus (the vector) to deliver genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Once inside our cells, this genetic material gives instructions to make a protein that is unique to the COVID-19 virus.
  • Our cells display the protein on their surface, which triggers an immune response.
• Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
  • It allows the use of unapproved medical products to diagnose, treat, or prevent serious or life-threatening diseases during an emergency.
  • Covishield received EUA in India in January 2021.
• Cold Chain Requirements
  • Covishield needs to be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius, which is within the normal refrigerator temperature range.
  • This storage requirement makes it easier to handle and distribute compared to vaccines needing ultra-cold storage.
• Global Distribution
  • Serum Institute has supplied Covishield to several countries under the COVAX initiative, aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
  • India is one of the largest producers and exporters of vaccines globally.