Covaxin

COVID-19 vaccine trials for children are still underway. So, enough evidence is not available to recommend its use in children yet. This is because the morbidity and mortality rate is higher in the older population, particularly those older than 50 years of age. Both the available vaccines have not been studied for safety and effectiveness in the children/pediatric population so far. Therefore, it is advised not to give any COVID-19 vaccine to children till we have enough data available.

As per government of India guidelines, all the COVID-19 frontline workers will get vaccinated on priority. However, the other family members of these people will be vaccinated according to the age-specific prioritization by the Government of India.

Yes. People who have already been infected with COVID-19 should still get vaccinated unless told otherwise by their healthcare provider. Even if you’ve had a previous infection, the vaccine acts as a booster that strengthens the immune response. There have also been some cases of people getting re-infected with COVID-19, which makes getting vaccinated even more important.

As per the permission granted by the Drug Controller General (India), Covaxin Vaccine is to be administered in two doses, the second dose given on day 28, after the first dose. Additionally, studies are being conducted around a proposed booster dose, to be administered six months after the second dose. The protocol of giving a booster dose still needs a finalization as the study is being done on a small group of individuals only, as part of a Government of India clinical trial.

Yes. All vaccines are expected to provide a reasonable amount of protection against the newer strains/mutated versions of the COVID-19 virus also. The body responds to vaccination by making more than one type of antibodies, that effectively destroy the virus. Based on the currently available data, the mutations as reported, are unlikely to make the vaccine ineffective and protect an individual against COVID-19 effectively.

There is no comparison done between the two vaccines, Covishield or Covaxin Vaccine, being used in India so one cannot say which is better. Both the vaccines are effective in preventing the COVID-19 infection in all who take it, particularly, elderly people or those who have comorbidities such as diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure).

It usually takes 2-3 weeks after completion of the entire vaccination schedule, i.e., after the second dose of Covaxin Vaccine.

Covaxin Vaccine may show some mild side effects like injection site reactions (such as pain, swelling, redness, and itching), headache, fever, malaise/body ache, nausea, vomiting, and rashes. However, these are usually mild and temporary and may resolve after some time. If they do not, please consult your doctor. No other serious side effects have been reported with Covaxin Vaccine.

Covaxin Vaccine should not be given to people with a history of anaphylactic or allergic reaction to a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine or any injectable therapies, pharmaceutical products, food items, etc. Additionally, pregnant and lactating women have not been part of any COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial so far. Therefore, women who are pregnant or not sure of their pregnancy and lactating (breastfeeding) women should not receive the COVID-19 vaccine at this time. However, You must consult your doctor if you are not sure.

Absolutely. Covaxin Vaccine is safe and effective in adults with comorbidities such as hypertension/diabetes/chronic kidney disease/heart disease/lipid disorders, etc. The maximum benefit of getting Covaxin Vaccine is for those who have such comorbidities. However, if you are concerned for any specific reason, please consult your doctor.

Before getting Covaxin Vaccine you should tell your doctor if you are on regular medication for any illness, for how long, and for which condition. Inform your doctor if you have any allergies, fever, a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, or if you are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system. You must consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Let your doctor know if you have received another COVID-19 vaccine earlier too.

Covaxin Vaccine needs to be stored and transported at 2⁰ to 8⁰ Celsius. The cold chain for Covaxin Vaccine is maintained through active and passive cold chain equipment available at approximately 29,000 cold chain points across India.

Online registration and appointment can be done through the Co-WIN portal. You will have to give some basic information about yourself and details of your photo identification card to get yourself registered online. From one mobile phone number, one can register 4 people, however, each person will need their photo identification document.

Yes. You can still get vaccinated even if you haven’t pre-registered online. Please ask your nearest Government health care worker to guide you about the nearest COVID-19 Vaccination Centre (CVC) where COVID vaccination will be available and the days of the week when this will be available. You need to carry your mobile phone and a photo identification document to get yourself vaccinated. The workers in the CVC will help you to register on the spot, get an appointment, and get vaccinated on the same day.

Yes. Covaxin Vaccine has undergone the necessary clinical trials before granting EUA.

Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or permission for restricted use is a declaration issues by Indian regulators in alignment with global guidelines to use certain vaccines, medicines or devices to diagnose, treat, or prevent a serious medical condition (such as COVID-19 in the current scenario) in case there is an outbreak of such an illness that poses threat to public health. Regulatory authorities may not approve the use of any such medical measures but may still allow it to be used against the illness weighing the benefits against the risks involved. However, there are continuous lab assessments and clinical trials to check on the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the vaccines.

Five vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorization by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) in India are Covishield (AstraZeneca's vaccine, manufactured by Serum Institute of India), Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited), Sputnik V (Russia's vaccine, being manufactured by Dr. Reddy's laboratories in India), Moderna (US vaccine being imported by Cipla, India) and the most recent being Johnson and Johnson’s single dose Covid-19 Vaccine.

Coronavirus disease 2019, better known as COVID-19, is an illness of the lungs caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2), which is seen to infect humans for the very first time. COVID-19 is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads from one person to another at a very fast pace. Persons suffering from COVID-19 are likely to have breathing difficulties, fever, and cough as the major symptoms.