Nagpur: Dr. Pragya Yadav, a senior scientist who played a pivotal role in detecting early Covid-19 cases in India, took center stage on Friday to share her experiences during the pandemic and shed light on India’s quest for self-reliance in vaccine development. Speaking at the Raman Science Centre and Planetarium, she delved into the significant impact of Covid-19 on the nation’s vaccination endeavors.
The occasion was marked by an insightful ‘Popular Science Lecture’ organized in conjunction with the central government’s international travelling exhibition titled ‘Vaccines Injecting Hope.’
Dr. Yadav, who serves as the group leader of the Biosafety 4 Lab at ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, addressed a diverse audience, providing valuable insights into the journey of tackling Covid-19.
Recounting the early days of the pandemic, she remarked, “During a time when the world had only two antibody testing kits available, our team played a crucial role in providing diagnostic support for Covid-19. We not only isolated the Wuhan strain but also contributed to the development of indigenous diagnostic kits and assisted in screening anti-Covid compounds. Our collective efforts culminated in the creation of Covaxin.”
Dr. Yadav went on to discuss the challenges that were encountered during the preliminary preclinical studies on monkeys and Syrian hamsters to assess the efficacy and immunogenicity of Covaxin. She emphasized the complexities posed by the lockdown, such as capturing and transporting monkeys, procuring essential equipment like X-ray machines, and ensuring expert supervision.
These rigorous trials paved the way for Covaxin to advance into human trials, propelling India closer to achieving self-reliance in Covid-19 vaccine development.
Furthermore, Dr. Yadav highlighted her pivotal role in genome sequencing, which led to the identification and isolation of variants such as Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. She explained how these isolates played a critical role in determining the efficacy of Covaxin and Covishield against the evolving virus.
During her lecture, Dr. Yadav underscored the historical context of vaccine development, drawing comparisons between the extended timelines required for diseases like smallpox (350 years) and polio (200 years) with the extraordinary pace of Covid-19 vaccine development.
As she discussed the intricate stages of vaccine testing, Dr. Yadav expressed empathy for the challenges faced by the medical community, particularly during the lockdown. Her insights illuminated the journey of Indian scientists and medical professionals in the battle against the pandemic, showcasing the nation’s strides towards scientific innovation and self-reliance.
