TNPSC Current Affairs April 04, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs April 04, 2020 (04/04/2020)

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination

According to a US-based research, a combination of reduced morbidity and mortality could make the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination a “game-changer” in the fight against novel coronavirus.

What is BCG Vaccine?

Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB). In countries where TB or leprosy is common, one dose is recommended in healthy babies as close to the time of birth as possible.

In areas where tuberculosis is not common, only children at high risk are typically immunized, while suspected cases of tuberculosis are individually tested for and treated.

How can TB vaccine help fight COVID-19?

The BCG vaccine contains a live but weakened strain of tuberculosis bacteria that provokes the body to develop antibodies to attack TB bacteria.

This is called an adaptive immune response, because the body develops a defense against a specific disease-causing microorganism, or pathogen, after encountering it.

Most vaccines create an adaptive immune response to a single pathogen.

Unlike other vaccines, the BCG vaccine may also boost the innate immune system, first-line defenses that keep a variety of pathogens from entering the body or from establishing an infection.

But, what’s the concern now?

Doctors and scientists in India have expressed caution on this study, which argues that countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from COVID-19.

They say, it is premature for India, that has had a consistent TB vaccination policy since 1968, to take comfort from the study.

Topic: Latest inventions in Science and Health

Bharat Biotech to develop intranasal Vaccine for Covid-19

Bharat Biotech along with virologists of University of Wisconsin and Madison have begun development and testing of a new vaccine called CoroFlu for COVID-19.

Key facts:

The vaccine is to be developed with the M2SR vaccine as the main component. The M2SR vaccine is used against flu. The M2SR is a self-limiting version of the influenza virus. It induces immune response against flu.

The Vaccine:

The gene sequences of SARS-CoV-2 that causes the COVID-19 disease is to be inserted into the M2SR. This will induce immunity against corona virus. The process is expected to take three to six months. The vaccine will be delivered intranasally. The Plan The Bharat Biotech is to manufacture around 300 million doses of the vaccine. The doses are to be distributed all over the world.

Topic: Current socio-economic issues

CARUNA: An initiative by the civil servants to fight against COVID-19

The associations of civil servants formed an initiative called CARUNA. CARUNA is Civil Services Associations Reach to Support Natural Disasters.

Key facts:

CARUNA is a collaborative platform. It includes IAS and IPS officers. The platform is to be represented by NGO, industry leaders, IT professionals along with the civil servants. The initiative is being launched to support government efforts to fight Corona Virus.