6) Explain how IPV Polio vaccine works? Why is the recent news of a company manufacturing type 2 polio virus vaccine a risk to India’s polio free status? Examine CDSCO’s role in this regard?(250 words)

Topic– Science and Technology

6) Explain how IPV Polio vaccine works? Why is the recent news of a company manufacturing type 2 polio virus vaccine a risk to India’s polio free status? Examine CDSCO’s role in this regard?(250 words)

The hindu

Why this question

The article highlights the threat posed by this major issue, where now eradicated in the wild type 2 polio virus vaccines were bring manufactured by a company. By backlinkage, we need to understand the risks posed, the working of vaccines and the role of regulatory agencies in this regard.

Key demand of the question

The question expects us to bring out an explanation for how IPV vaccine works. Thereafter, we need to explain why we are at risk by this happening, where type 2 polio virus vaccine was being administered. In the end, we need to explain what role the CDSCO is expected to play and how it can ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

Directive word

Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic,  get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .

Structure of the answer

Introduction – highlight the recent case to provide a context to your answer.

Body

• Explain how IPV vaccine works – IPV consists of inactivated (killed) poliovirus strains of all three poliovirus types. IPV is given by intramuscular or intradermal injection and needs to be administered by a trained health worker. IVP produces antibodies in the blood to all three types of poliovirus. In the event of infection, these antibodies prevent the spread of the virus to the central nervous system and protect against paralysis.
• Explain that in the present case the risk is that – The contamination can have very serious ramifications on public health because it is tantamount to reintroducing into the community a virus that had been eradicated as IPV induces very low levels of immunity in the intestine. As a result, when a person immunized with IPV is infected with wild poliovirus, the virus can still multiply inside the intestines and be shed in the faeces, risking continued circulation.
• Finally, explain what role does CDSCO play. Examine the role of CDSCO in this case and discuss measured through such incidents are not repeated

Conclusion – Give a brief overview of the threat that lies before us and how we can counter it.