Health Technology and Vaccines

Health technology encompasses vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, and digital health. India's vaccine landscape: Universal Immunization Programme (UIP, 11 vaccines), COVID-19 vaccines (Covaxin, Covishield, Corbevax, iNCOVACC), mRNA platform development. Diagnostics: RT-PCR, RAT, ELISA, NGS. Medical devices: PLI scheme, MDC rules. Digital health: ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), UHI, e-Sanjeevani. Regulators: CDSCO, ICMR, NPPA.[TOPIC CLASSIFICATION]

• Topic type: Science & Technology - Health
• PYQ frequency: High
• Exam stage: Prelims + Mains
• Primary GS paper: GS 3

[EXAMINER REASONING]

1. Trap: Confusing vaccine types: inactivated (Covaxin), viral vector (Covishield), protein subunit (Corbevax), mRNA (iNCOVACC, under development), nasal (iNCOVACC). Many aspirants think all COVID vaccines are mRNA.
2. Most confused: The UIP schedule: 11 vaccines (BCG, Hep B, OPV, IPV, DPT, Hep B, Hib, PCV, Rota, Measles/MR, JE). Mission Indradhanush (intensified). Many aspirants miss the new additions (PCV, Rota, JE).
3. Key anchor: Vaccine development: Covaxin (Bharat Biotech, inactivated, ICMR), Covishield (SII, Oxford-AstraZeneca, viral vector), Corbevax (Biological E, protein subunit), iNCOVACC (Bharat Biotech, nasal, adenovirus vector). mRNA platform: Gennova (India's first mRNA, in trials).
4. Current affairs hook: COVID-19: 220+ cr doses administered, 97% first dose, 90% second. UIP: 11 vaccines, Mission Indradhanush 5.0 (2023). mRNA: Gennova (first Indian mRNA, phase 3). ABDM: 50+ cr ABHA IDs, UHI, e-Sanjeevani 20+ cr consultations. PLI medical devices (Rs 3,420 cr).
5. Mains hinge: Evaluate: Is India's vaccine self-reliance sustainable? The mRNA gap, cold chain, vaccine hesitancy, and the transition from pandemic to routine immunization is the Mains frame.

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Core Concept

Vaccines: UIP (Universal Immunization Programme) provides 11 vaccines free: BCG, Hepatitis B, OPV, IPV, DPT, Hib, PCV, Rotavirus, Measles/MR, JE (endemic areas), Pneumococcal. Mission Indradhanush (2014, intensified 2022) for unreached children. COVID-19: Covaxin (Bharat Biotech, inactivated, ICMR), Covishield (SII, viral vector), Corbevax (Biological E, protein subunit), iNCOVACC (Bharat Biotech, nasal, adenovirus vector), Gennova (mRNA, phase 3). 220+ cr doses, 97% first dose.

Diagnostics: RT-PCR (gold standard), Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), ELISA (antibody), NGS (genomic surveillance), CBNAAT (TB). ICMR regulates.

Medical Devices: PLI Scheme (Rs 3,420 cr) for manufacturing. MDC (Medical Device Rules 2017, CDSCO). Categories: A (low risk) to D (high risk). NPPA for price control (stents, knee implants).

Digital Health: ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, 2021): ABHA ID (50+ cr), UHI (Unified Health Interface), e-Sanjeevani (telemedicine, 20+ cr consultations), Health Facility Registry, Healthcare Professional Registry. e-Sanjeevani: OPD and specialist consultations. NDHM/ABDM ecosystem.