Covaxin Vaccine
Covaxin Vaccine has been developed by Bharat Biotech along with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The clinical trials enrolled approximately 26,175 people, making it the largest clinical trial in India.
Covaxin Vaccine
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection is paramount to ending the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Covaxin Vaccine is amongst India’s first indigenous (local) vaccines that received emergency use authorization (conditional approval) for prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Covaxin Vaccine has been developed by Bharat Biotech along with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. The clinical trials enrolled approximately 26,175 people, making it the largest clinical trial in India.
Covaxin Vaccine contains an inactive (dead) form of the virus itself. It is given as an injection into the muscle of the upper arm. Once injected, it provokes an immune response that can block or kill the virus’s future infections/invasions, without actually causing the disease. Covaxin Vaccine is given in two doses. The second dose of the vaccine can be taken four to six weeks after the first dose. It is important to take both doses as the protective level of antibody response against COVID-19 develops only after 2 weeks of taking the second dose.
Covaxin Vaccine phase-3 interim results have shown an efficacy of 81%. However, it is still unclear how long the vaccine can protect you. Hence, to prevent and slow the spread of Covid-19, use masks, wash your hands frequently, maintain social distancing, avoid crowds, and monitor your health daily.
The possible side effects of Covaxin Vaccine include injection site reactions (such as pain, swelling, redness, and itching), stiffness in the upper arm, headache, fever, feeling of discomfort (malaise/body ache), nausea, vomiting, and rashes. Most of these side effects are temporary (subside within 2-3 days) and similar to those caused by any other vaccine. If required, you may take paracetamol to provide symptomatic relief. However, consult your doctor if any of these persist (symptoms continue beyond 2-3 days) or bother you.
Before receiving the vaccine, tell your doctor or vaccine provider about all your medical conditions. Let them also know about all the medications you are taking. It is advisable not to take the vaccine if you have any allergies, have a fever, have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, or are on a medicine that affects your immune system.
Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers have not been a part of any vaccine trials. Therefore, they should not get the vaccine at this time as the safety of the medicine for them is still not known. Also, individuals who have received another COVID-19 vaccine should not receive Covaxin Vaccine.
03Uses
Prevention of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
04How To Use
Your doctor or nurse will guide you how to use this medicine.
05How It Works
Covaxin Vaccine contains an inactivated form of the virus itself (made up of killed coronaviruses, making it safe to be injected into the body). When administered, the dead virus acts as an antigen and provokes an immune response that can block or kill the virus, without actually causing the disease. Thus, Covaxin Vaccine is incapable of infecting people but still able to instruct the immune system to promote a defensive reaction if a person becomes infected just like the natural body immune mechanism in case of other infections (such as common cold or flu).
06What If You Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose of Covaxin Vaccine, please consult your doctor.
07Benefits
In Prevention of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Covaxin Vaccine is used for preventing COVID-19. Moreover, getting vaccinated may also protect you from getting seriously infected, even if you get a COVID-19 infection. Vaccination helps to protect you as well as your loved ones from getting the deadly COVID-19 infection. Make sure you complete the doses of Covaxin Vaccine to get maximum benefit.
08Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Rash
Vomiting
Nausea
Feeling of discomfort
Fever
Headache
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
09Safety Information
Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Covaxin Vaccine. Please consult your doctor. As per experts, there is no evidence of alcohol impairing the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Covaxin Vaccine during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Covaxin Vaccine during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.If you are breastfeeding, you should not get the vaccine as the effect of the vaccine has not been studied in nursing mothers.
Driving:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Covaxin Vaccine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Covaxin Vaccine in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Liver:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Covaxin Vaccine in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
10Drug Tips
Two doses of Covaxin Vaccine are given 4 to 6 weeks apart. Ensure that you complete the dosing schedule.
Do not get vaccinated on an empty stomach. Have a proper meal before visiting the vaccination site.
You may be observed at the vaccination center itself to guard against any immediate allergic reaction or side effects.
Do not interchange the vaccines. The second dose should also be of the same COVID-19 vaccine which was administered as the first dose.
A minimum interval of 14 days should be maintained between the administration of any other vaccine. However, if the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential unknown risks of vaccine coadministration, COVID-19 and other vaccines may be administered within a shorter period (e.g., tetanus vaccine, rabies vaccine, etc.)
Defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolution if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection.
Do get vaccinated even if you have recovered from COVID-19 infection in the past, as this will help in developing a stronger immune response.
Continue to follow other preventive measures such as social distancing, mask donning, and hand-washing even after getting vaccinated.
References
Sources and references
Bharat Biotech. COVAXIN . view
Bharat Biotech. COVAXIN – India’s First Indigenous COVID-19 Vaccine. view
Indian Council of Medical Research. COVID-19 Vaccine. view
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Vaccination: Frequently Asked Questions. view
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Common Side Effects : Some common ailments that can be expected after vaccination. view
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. COVID-19 Vaccines: Operational Guidelines. . view
Press Information Bureau. Government of India. Press Statement by the Drugs Controller General of Indiaon Restricted Emergency approval of COVID-19 virus vaccine. . view
Indian Council of Medical Research. Restricted Use of COVAXIN Under Clinical Trial Mode. . view
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Questions and Answers. view
Institute Of Preventive Medicine. Vaccination Appointment for International Travelers . view
Panel Allows Bharat Biotech To Give 3rd Dose Of Covaxin In Trial: Report. NDTV. 2021 Apr. 02. view
Hartford Healthcare. These Are the Top 5 Vaccine Questions on Google. We Have the Answers. view
Moyer MW. When Will Kids Get COVID Vaccines? Scientific American. 2021 Mar. 30. view
Camero K. Don’t worry if you catch coronavirus when fully vaccinated — it can happen. Here’s why. Miami Herald. 2021 Apr. 01. view
