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Published on: Jul 17, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

MRNA Vaccine Against SARS CoV2

An mRNA Vaccine against SARS CoV2

We have previously discussed vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. On the 14th of July, a preliminary study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, an internationally reputable medical journal. This study looks at mRNA vaccines in Phase 1 human clinical trials, a first for the virus. Here we will discuss what this means and the results of the study.

mRNA vaccine

Vaccines target the immune system’s memory by presenting them with pieces of these infective diseases. The small amounts do not cause any infective symptoms, but if the person is infected later in life their body will mount a quicker response and prevent them from falling ill. These vaccines can contain broken up parts of the organisms, “dead” organisms or “live” versions that have been severely weakened so they cannot cause any harm.

In 2018 a new type of vaccine was described. Instead of using pre-made protein markers that identify infectious organisms, mRNA vaccines contain genetic material with instructions to produce these markers. Once injected, the person’s cells use these instructions to produce copies of these protein markers. These markers are displayed on the surface of the cell, which in turn is recognized by the immune system, initiating an immune response and producing protective antibodies.

BENEFITS

A major advantage of RNA vaccines is the ease by which they can be made in a laboratory from a DNA template. During a pandemic, this would result in a rapid response and vaccine against a new disease. Conventional vaccines require the use of chicken eggs or cells to produce the vaccines, which can be expensive and time-consuming. These vaccines can be delivered via injections into the skin, blood, muscle, or organs, needle-free into the skin, or via nasal spray. Because these vaccines are so new, we still do not know the best way to deliver it.

Because these vaccines are not made with parts of infective organisms or from live organisms, they are not infectious and will not cause harm through a strong immune response to the vaccine itself, or by causing the disease they aim to vaccinate against. They also appear to be very efficient at generating a reliable immune response to produce antibodies and are well tolerated with few side effects.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT

Because these types of vaccines are so new there is still a lot we do not understand about them. They may cause unintended effects that we have not yet encountered in human clinical studies. These vaccines also need to be frozen or refrigerated, and so would not be suitable for countries with limited or no refrigeration facilities.

COVID

The SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine codes for one of the virus’ surface spike proteins, responsible for recognizing target cells and fusing the virus into the cell for entry and infection. It was previously recognized as a target for the SARS and MERS viruses.

45 participants received 2 intramuscular injections 28 days apart. None of the participants had any serious side effects after the first injection, or any side effects significant enough to stop the trial. Many had minor to moderate side effects after their second injection (such as fatigue, chills, headache, myalgia, and pain at the injection site), and half the participants taking high dose vaccines had febrile side effects. Overall the side effects were rated as acceptable.

Prior to the vaccine trials, none of the participants had any antibodies against COVID, or any capacity to stop a COIVD infection. After the injections, all participants had noticeable increases in antibodies produced, measurable in their blood. After 43 days, the participant's blood had enough antibodies to reduce infection by SARS-CoV-2 by over 80%.

What is the takeaway? The vaccine is capable of producing an adequate response to protect the vaccine recipient without eliciting any major side effects. These results will be used in phase 2 clinical trials (enrolment began in May) and a phase 3 trial in July 2020. Essentially this means further human trials to further look for side effects in a larger number of volunteers with a more diverse health profile.

This represents an interesting development in producing a rapid vaccine against a new virus responsible for a world-changing pandemic. This new type of vaccine may be the future of vaccines for a broader range of viruses, bacteria, and even cancers.

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KEYWORD: Employee Wall of Fame – Celebrate uniqueness

In today’s competitive and fast-paced work environment, employee recognition plays a vital role in building a positive and productive workplace culture. While salary and benefits are important, appreciation and acknowledgment often have a deeper and longer-lasting impact on motivation.

An Employee Wall of Fame is a powerful yet simple initiative that celebrates individual contributions, highlights achievements and reinforces a culture of appreciation.

What Is an Employee Wall of Fame?

An Employee Wall of Fame is a recognition platform — physical or digital — that showcases employees who have demonstrated exceptional performance, creativity, teamwork or leadership.

It may include:

Employee photographs
Achievement descriptions
Monthly or quarterly awards
Customer appreciation highlights
Team milestones

This visible recognition fosters pride and belonging.

Why Celebrating Uniqueness Matters

Every employee brings distinct skills, experiences and perspectives to the organization. Recognizing uniqueness:

Encourages diversity
Builds confidence
Promotes innovation
Strengthens team cohesion

Appreciation creates an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued.

Benefits of an Employee Wall of Fame

1. Boosts Employee Morale

Public recognition reinforces positive behavior and motivates others to perform better.

Employees feel acknowledged for their hard work.

2. Enhances Productivity

When employees know their efforts are recognized, they are more likely to:

Stay engaged
Take initiative
Maintain consistent performance

Motivation translates into measurable productivity gains.

3. Strengthens Workplace Culture

Recognition fosters:

Respect
Team spirit
Healthy competition

A positive environment encourages long-term retention.

4. Encourages Continuous Improvement

Highlighting achievements sets performance benchmarks.

Employees strive to improve skills and meet high standards.

5. Improves Employee Retention

Feeling valued reduces turnover.

Recognition strengthens emotional connection with the organization.

Types of Employee Wall of Fame Models

Physical Recognition Board

Placed in office reception or common area.

Ideal for on-site teams.

Digital Wall of Fame

Hosted on company intranet or website.

Suitable for remote or hybrid teams.

Themed Recognition

Examples include:

Innovator of the Month
Team Player Award
Customer Champion
Wellness Ambassador

This allows diverse achievements to be celebrated.

How to Implement an Effective Wall of Fame

Define Clear Criteria

Establish transparent guidelines for selection.

Encourage Peer Nominations

Allow employees to nominate colleagues.

This increases participation and fairness.

Rotate Recognition Regularly

Monthly or quarterly updates maintain enthusiasm.

Share Stories

Include short narratives describing contributions.

Stories inspire others and personalize achievements.

Combine with Rewards

Certificates, small gifts or appreciation emails enhance impact.

Employee Recognition in the Indian Workplace

With evolving workplace dynamics in India, organizations are focusing more on employee engagement and cultural development.

Recognition programs like Employee Wall of Fame help companies build stronger employer branding and create motivating environments.

Such initiatives are particularly effective in fast-growing sectors such as healthcare, IT and startups.

Addressing Common Challenges

Avoid Bias

Use structured evaluation criteria.

Maintain Consistency

Ensure regular updates to sustain credibility.

Encourage Inclusivity

Recognize diverse roles, not just top performers.

Long-Term Impact on Organizations

Organizations that celebrate employee uniqueness often experience:

Higher engagement levels
Better teamwork
Increased innovation
Stronger organizational loyalty

Recognition transforms workplace dynamics positively.

Integrating Wall of Fame with Wellness Culture

Companies can align recognition with health and wellbeing initiatives, such as:

Fitness achievements
Community volunteering
Mental health advocacy

Celebrating holistic contributions promotes balanced development.

Conclusion

An Employee Wall of Fame is more than a decorative display — it is a strategic recognition tool that celebrates uniqueness and strengthens workplace culture.

By acknowledging achievements openly and consistently, organizations foster motivation, engagement and loyalty.

In an era where talent retention and employee satisfaction are critical, simple appreciation initiatives can create lasting impact.

Celebrating individuality is not just good for morale — it is essential for building resilient and high-performing teams.

Recognition inspires excellence, and excellence drives success.

References

World Health Organization – Healthy Workplace Framework
Harvard Business Review – Employee Recognition Research
Indian Journal of Occupational Health – Workplace Engagement Studies
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Recognition Reports
NITI Aayog – Workplace Wellness Strategies

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