COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine What No One Is Talking About

COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine What No One Is Talking About

Recently, in June 2020, India based biotechnology company Bharat Biotech has secured regulatory approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to carry out its human clinical trials for the advancement study of its Covid-19 vaccine, COVAXIN.

COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine What No One Is Talking About

Origin of Vaccine

If we look back sometimes earlier, around 15^th century, both Chinese and Turks used dried crusts of small pox lesions either by inhalation and insertion into cut methods to induce immunity against small pox. That was the crude initial attempt towards immunization. Afterwards till the end of 18^th century, the method that was followed during this time span is known as inoculation means ‘to graft’. The inoculator usually used a lancet wet with fresh matter collected from a ripe pustule of some person who suffered from smallpox and it was then subcutaneously introduced into the nonimmune person’s body. However, this inoculation procedure led to the spreading of other blood borne diseases including clotting of blood and reached to the level of threat towards another epidemic. The procedure, thereafter named as variolation. Followed by Edward Jenner’s experiments (1796) with cowpox led to improved smallpox immunity towards the step of immunization and development of vaccination (1). Hence, vaccination can be considered as descendant of inoculation or variolation towards immunization. The  vaccine for smallpox contains vaccinia virus (Variolei Vaccinae) from cow and hence the naming.

COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine What No One Is Talking About

Vaccine Development Clinical Trials

Here are the stages followed methodically from the exploration to the advancement of a new vaccine for clinical approval (2).

Stage 1 trial is a preclinical trial that includes exploration, animal testing and submission of the application for the investigational new drug (IND) to FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It takes approximately 2-4 years for this first stage of clinical trial.

Stage 2 trial comprises testing of the investigational drug on humans and it relies on three phases. Phase 1 is a kind of trial on a very small group of people who knows whether or not the vaccine has been administered on them. On success of phase 1, phase 2 comprises trials on randomly chosen groups with control groups. Phase 3 is trial targeting completely towards safety of mankind monitoring for the occurrence of side effects in long term (if any). Therefore, it can take even more than 2 years. On success, FDA allows license for the production of the IND but keeps an eye on its production and efficacy in many ways. The drug company producing the drug may call for a phase 4 trial also to check its effectiveness on general people.

COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine What No One Is Talking About

COVAXIN development

COVAXIN has been developed by Bharat Biotech India in collaboration with National Institute of Virology (NIV) of ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). NIV scientists are already working on three different vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. One of the vaccines has been named as COVAXIN which is an inactivated vaccine with killed pathogens (viruses in this case). Hence, these availabilities have already saved time for exploration of a new vaccine against Covid-19. Recently, Bharat Biotech MD has already confirmed about animal testing (on rat, mice, rabit) of COVAXIN and thus enforced about animal safety as well (3). Hence, it is on the verge of initializing Stage 2 trial.

COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine

COVAXIN: Covid-19 Vaccine What No One Is Talking About

COVAXIN advancement

Earlier ICMR had to launch COVAXIN by August 15 as indicated by DG-ICMR (4). However, what it seemed that the groups behind COVAXIN would not be going to follow the stage 2 trial in methodical way, rather they would follow randomised controlled clinical trials (5). That meant the human trials would be conducted in randomly chosen groups and controls with the incorporation of different institutes (6). The efficacy and safety of COVAXIN are still a matter of question that are needed to be addressed within this short period of time. Hence, the launching of COVAXIN is yet to be decided would be delayed as per the latest news (7).

way to Zero point from Yumthang

Zero Point Sikkim

Zero Point Sikkim

Zero Point Sikkim is located about 23 km from Yumthang and at an altitude of more than 15,000 feet. Yume Samdong is the other name for this place. It takes around 1 hr drive from Yumthang to reach this place. Motorable road ends here and civillians are not permitted to drive beyond as international China border is at a short distance from here and therefore, the name is Zero Point. Visitor has to report at military checkpost nearby a Shiv mandir before entering the location.

on the way, peek-a-boo of not so fresh snow

Zero Point Sikkim

The journey is not so comfortable as the road is not smooth rather rugged mountain road but it is the treat for eye where the journey ends. A 360 degree view of snow-capped stretch of mountains with river waters turned into ice is worth of visiting this place.

snow-capped stretch of mountains with frozen river

Zero Point Sikkim

On reaching at the zero point, vehicles queue and park at the side of the road systematically. Here, the driver asks passengers to deboard the vehicle and go for enjoyment with snow. Along with the snow-covered mountains the place is convergence of three rivers.

queues of vehicles

Zero Point Sikkim

Visitors can spend quality time here playing with snow with their hearts' content. Since, it is at high altitude, few may feel breathing trouble due to oxygen level deficiency. Keeping hand gloves and rain boots are additional benefit to enjoy the beauty to the fullest.

visitors enjoying with snow

Zero Point Sikkim

Best time to visit: March-May

Cost: Drivers take additional cost to take to zero point (INR 3000 for a vehicle from Yumthang), this is not included in any shared package

Permit: Permit is needed from army checkpost

Nearest place to stay: Lachung

Time to reach Zero point from Lachung: 3 hrs

Duration: 1 hr duration is sufficient to spend here.

Rental: pair of gloves and rainboots can be rented from nearby ghumtis of Yumthang at a cost of INR 50 for each pair.

Eateries: nearby ghumtis at Yumthang sells breakfast, snacks etc.

Restriction: Pet bottles, plastic water jars are not allowed (may attract fines if caught)

Zero Point Sikkim

 

overall view of zero point in a nutshell

Note: All the photos and videos are taken in the month of May, 2019 

Baked Rasgullas.. delicious lickacious Bengali Sweet dish

Baked Rasgullas.. delicious lickacious Bengali Sweet dish

Most of the Bengalis prefer sweet at the end of their meal. 

Now-a-days Baked Rasgulla is one of the show stoppers after those sumptuous meals. 

I don’t have a sweet tooth but there are some sweet dishes in which people even like me can gorge on. 

This is a sweet fusion kind of dish since it involves Bengal’s authentic sweet (read as ‘misti’) Rasgullas and ‘Baking’ as its main part of processing.

Baked Rasgullas.. delicious lickacious Bengali Sweet dish

Here is an easy recipe for preparation of lip smacking ‘Baked Rasgullas’. 

Servings as per recipe: 16

Estimated Calories per serving: 280

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Sponge Rasgulla : 16 pieces

Full fat Milk : 250 mL

Chenna : ½ cup (coarsely smashed)

Condensed milk : 1 cup

Cardamom : 5-6 pieces

Cinnamon stick : 2-3 inches

Saffron strands : 5-6 (soaked in warm milk)

Mixed nuts (Pistachios, Almonds) : handful (optional)

Baked Rasgullas.. delicious lickacious Bengali Sweet dish

Method:

1. Drain out the sugar syrup from sponge Rasgullas by squeezing them softly. Don’t squeeze hard otherwise they will break.

2. Microwave the syrup-drained squeezed Rasgullas in water for 2-3 mins. This will make further draining of remaining sugar syrup from Rasgullas.

3. Cool and squeeze out the water from Rasgullas softly. Keep aside the squeezed Rasgullas in a microwave-safe baking container. More flat is the container, easier to bake.

4. Roast the whole spices, i.e., cardamom and cinnamon sticks. Grind them into powdered form.

5. In a pan, constantly stirr the milk with added powdered spices in low-flame. Add the coarsely smashed chenna in it. Slowly pour the condensed milk to it while the milk is about to boil. Stirring should be continued while condensed milk being added.

6. The above process should be continued till a creamy textured consistency is obtained. Add the milk soaked saffron strands at this point (optional though).

7. Pour the thickened milk over the arranged Rasgullas that are already kept aside in a microwave-safe container (Reference step #3).

8. Pre-heat the oven for 10 minutes. Microwave the Rasgullas for 6-7 minutes by placing the container in the above rack.

9. Cool it to room temperature. Garnish with chopped roasted mixed nuts, rose petals... (optional). Servings can be done either in hot or chilled condition.

Baked Rasgullas.. delicious lickacious Bengali Sweet dish

Voila!  The Yummilicious show-stopper aka Baked rasgullas are ready to walk on the ramp!

Baked Rasgullas.. delicious lickacious Bengali Sweet dish

 

Kindly note that I have not used additional sugar for this preparation. You can add sugar while preparing the milk (Reference step #5) if you want it to be sweeter.