Currently, as we all know there are three vaccines available for use in India- COVISHIELD, COVAXIN and SPUTNIK.
We began vaccinating our large population from January 16th this year and 6 months into the vaccine we are reasonably sure of their efficacy in preventing serious disease. The vaccine has been rolled out in phases and now includes the 18 + population including breastfeeding and new moms. It also gets the nod from ICMR for pregnant girls from the 25 th of June; in the latest development, we have also been given the go-ahead signal from the MOHFW, Government of India, as I write today.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE VACCINES
Covaxin is indigenously developed in India; manufactured by the Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and the National Institute of Virology. It is an inactivated viral vaccine containing the whole virion inactivated virus which can’t infect a person but which prods the immune system to form antibodies against it.
Covishield is a vaccine developed by the Oxford Astra Zeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. This has been prepared using viral vector technology. A chimpanzee adenovirus-ChAdOx1 has been used to carry the spike protein of the virus into human cells. This again does not infect the person getting the vaccine but mounts an antibody response. Vectors are “vehicles” which carry this genetic material inside the cells.
Sputnik V is the Russian developed vaccine made by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology which will be manufactured by Dr. Reddy’s laboratories. This uses the human adenovirus 26 and 5 to act as vectors for the Coronavirus spike protein.
Doses and timing of these
Both Covaxin and Covishield are given in 2 doses. 0.5 ml is administered intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle. Covaxin is given at an interval of 4-6 weeks apart and Covishield is prescribed at an interval of 12-16 weeks.
Sputnik vaccine is a double dose vaccine, also administered as an intramuscular dose. The interval between both doses is likely to be 21 days.
Even if one has had COVID, the vaccine must still be taken, however, delay the jab to 3 months after recovery from the disease.
If one gets COVID after the first dose of vaccine, it is recommended that one gets the second dose at the scheduled date provided one has no symptoms and the quarantine period is over.
Efficacy
The efficacy of Covaxin is around 81% in phase 3 trials whereas that of Covishield is around 90% . The efficacy of the Sputnik vaccine is 91.6 % as per global studies.
The chances of getting the disease after 2 doses of Covaxin are 0.4% and of Covishield are 0.3%
Side Effects
Pain at the site of injection, fever, headache, joint pain and weakness are common side effects of the vaccine which generally go away after 1-3 days. Rashes, nausea and vomiting are some other side effects.
Some serious side effects may be allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, palpitations, throat and face swelling but these are rare.
Some myths that need busting
- COVID vaccine can infect one with the disease
- COVID vaccine can cause one to become positive for infection
- COVID vaccine can alter one’s DNA
- COVID vaccine can’t be taken during one’s periods
- The vaccine will decrease one’s fertility
- After recovering from the disease one doesn’t require vaccination
Talk to your doctor; let’s all dispel myths and fears about the vaccine and move ahead in our fight against this terrible disease.
WE WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUSLY; ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TO JOIN HANDS
REMEMBER PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE
