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Published on: Jul 22, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

The Oxford Vaccine

Recently we wrote a blog on the success of an RNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Within just a few weeks of that incredible research breakthrough, researchers at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute have announced a COVID vaccine that has induced remarkable immune response against the virus.

This study was published in the Lancet, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, and a simple summary suggests the vaccine has no early safety concern and is able to induce a strong immune response with both T cells and B cell/antibodies.

THE VACCINE

ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, now known as AZD1222, was co-developed by the University of Oxford and one of its spin-off companies, Vaccitech. The vaccine uses a viral vector based on a common cold virus (adenovirus). This carries genetic material for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. In our previous blog, we saw how the spike proteins are used by the virus to target and fuse with our target cells, allowing the virus to invade, replicate and ultimately cause the disease known as COVID. It is also a good target for the human immune system to recognize and attack.

The viral vector delivers the genetic material inside our cells. The spike protein is then produced by our cells, recognized by the immune system as a viral target, and an immune response is created against it. This can be antibodies, which recognize, attach to and mark the virus in our blood, allowing for other white blood cells to destroy the virus.

In this case, the vaccine also produced a T cell response. T cells can recognize cells infected by a virus-based on the markers present on the surface of infected cells. They can tell an infected cell to destroy itself, thereby destroying the virus within without spreading the infection. They also have other functions that we will not discuss in this blog.

THE STUDY

This study was a Phase I/II trial that started in April using the vaccine named ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. This vaccine development started in January 2020, and progress on development has been incredibly rapid. Whilst our previous study had just 45 people, this study looked reviewed over 1,000 healthy adults. 10 of these participants received two doses of the vaccine.

In a study the more participants there are, the greater the power of the study. If the vaccine has any side effects, even ones that rarely occur, it is more likely to be picked up in studies with more people. Similarly having more people helps show that the vaccine is effective, and the strong responses are not merely a fluke or accident. Another benefit of this study is it was able to compare the vaccine against a control group. This shows the results were not simply a placebo and allowed comparison of side effects as well.

The majority of side effects were feeling feverish, chills, muscle ache, headache, and malaise, all symptoms treatable with paracetamol. None of the participants had any serious side effects. It took just 14 days to create a T cell response, and 28 days to make strong antibodies. In 91% of patients, this was enough to neutralize the COVID coronavirus. Receiving two doses gave an even stronger antibody response, and all participants were able to stop the virus.

WHAT NEXT

The news from the University of Oxford is needed, as infection rate and mortality continue to increase in countries such as the US and Brazil. The ability to induce an antibody response without causing harm to the patient shows we have made huge progress in the fight against COVID-19. Further Large scale Phase III trials been set up through a global partnership, and include studies in the US with over 30,000 patients, studies in children as well as some in low to middle-income countries.

If successful a vaccine would be essential in preventing a second wave of COVID in the winter when the elderly population is most at risk. And it would be the key to restarting the economy and getting our everyday lives back to where it was pre-pandemic.

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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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