Ugly truth about a vaccine that did not work – on Kaynasur Forest diseases vaccine

Source– The post is based on the article “Ugly truth about a vaccine that did not work” published in the mint on 3rd November 2022.

Syllabus: GS2- Health GS- Science and Technology

News- The article explains the issues related with Kaynasur Forest diseases vaccine

What are the issues with the KFD vaccine?

The KFD vaccine has faced both regulatory and quality problems for over two decades.

CDSCO has not given permission to the vaccine manufacturer, the Bengluru based IAHVB since at least 2002.

Vaccine quality has deteriorated measurably over two decades. It is failing the potency test repeatedly. Potency is closely linked to effectiveness.

NIV did not ask IAHVB to stop manufacturing the vaccine despite failing potency tests continuously.

Studies conducted by the National Institute of Epidemiology have shown that effectiveness of vaccines has dropped dramatically by the mid 2000s.

What is the contribution by NIV in the fight against KFD?

NIV scientists were first to isolate the virus from Kaynasur forest in 1957.

In the 1960s, NIV developed a formalin-inactivated vaccine.

It detected the carrier of the virus.

How did the vaccine come into production? In 1989, the Karnataka government set up a manufacturing facility under VDL Shivamogga. NIV transferred its vaccine technology to VDL.

In the 2000s , the Karnataka government decided to move the manufacturing facility to IAHVB despite having inadequate infrastructure.

What is the legal process for vaccine approval?

CDSCO permits a manufacturer to make a vaccine. It approves both manufacturing methods and quality control tests.

If a manufacturer releases a vaccine that fails quality control., then it is illegal.

What are some facts about KFD?

It is deadly disease. But it severely impacts only 5-10% of affected people.

It mainly affects forest and agriculture workers.

There is no specific treatment for it.