Which of the following is mRNA vaccine used against Covid-19 infection?
- (a)Sinovac
- (b)Moderna
- (c)Sputnik
- (d)Novavax
Correct — B, Moderna. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273, brand name Spikevax) is a messenger-RNA (mRNA) vaccine: it delivers lab-made mRNA coding for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, so the body's own cells make that protein and the immune system learns to recognise it. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech were the two mRNA vaccines widely deployed against COVID-19. The other three options use entirely different platforms.
- (a)Sinovac — Sinovac's CoronaVac is an INACTIVATED whole-virus vaccine (killed SARS-CoV-2), not an mRNA vaccine.
- (c)Sputnik — Sputnik V (Gamaleya Institute, Russia) is a VIRAL-VECTOR vaccine — it uses harmless human adenoviruses (Ad26, Ad5) to carry the spike gene, not mRNA.
- (d)Novavax — Novavax (NVX-CoV2373 / Covovax) is a PROTEIN-SUBUNIT vaccine — it injects ready-made spike protein nanoparticles with an adjuvant, not mRNA.
COVID-19 vaccines were built on several 'platforms'. mRNA vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech) inject genetic instructions so the body makes the spike protein itself. Viral-vector vaccines (Sputnik V, Covishield/AstraZeneca) use a harmless carrier virus to deliver the spike gene. Inactivated vaccines (Sinovac's CoronaVac, Covaxin) use the killed whole virus. Protein-subunit vaccines (Novavax) inject the spike protein directly.
The question is really 'match the brand to its platform'. Test-writers pick four famous COVID vaccines, only one of which is mRNA. Lock a one-line tag on each: Moderna/Pfizer = mRNA; Sputnik/Covishield = vector; Sinovac/Covaxin = inactivated; Novavax = protein subunit.
- Moderna's vaccine is mRNA-1273 (Spikevax) — an mRNA vaccine encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.
- Pfizer-BioNTech is the other major mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- Sinovac (CoronaVac) = inactivated virus; Sputnik V = adenoviral vector; Novavax = protein subunit.
- mRNA vaccines need very cold storage because mRNA is fragile.
- Assuming any recent/high-profile COVID vaccine is mRNA — only Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are.
- Mixing up Sputnik V (viral vector) with an mRNA or inactivated vaccine.
UPPSC/UPSC frame this as 'match the vaccine to its technology/platform' — memorise the platform tag for each big-name COVID vaccine rather than the brand alone.
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: 1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform. 2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform. 3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer(b) 2 and 3 only — Covishield is a viral-vector (adenovirus) vaccine, not mRNA (so 1 is wrong); Sputnik V is vector-based and Covaxin is inactivated.
Tests the exact same idea — classifying COVID-19 vaccines by platform (mRNA vs viral-vector vs inactivated), the distinction that makes Moderna the answer here.
With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements: 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer(c) Both 1 and 2 — recombinant vector vaccines use genetic engineering to insert antigen genes into bacterial or viral vectors.
Covers the vaccine-platform concept from the other side — the viral-vector platform (like Sputnik V here), reinforcing how platforms differ from mRNA.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which of the following COVID-19 vaccines is based on an inactivated (killed) virus platform?
- (a)Moderna
- (b)Covaxin
- (c)Pfizer-BioNTech
- (d)Sputnik V
Answer(b) Covaxin — Bharat Biotech's inactivated whole-virion vaccine; Moderna/Pfizer are mRNA and Sputnik V is a viral vector.
- practice — not a real PYQ
mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 work by:
- (a)Injecting a weakened live virus
- (b)Delivering genetic instructions for cells to make the spike protein
- (c)Injecting ready-made antibodies
- (d)Using a bacterial vector to carry the antigen
Answer(b) Delivering genetic instructions (mRNA) so the body's own cells produce the spike protein, triggering immunity.