Covishield VS Covaxin
The world has been battling with a deadly virus for well over a year now. What started out as an internally “Chinese” virus has now made its way into virtually every nook and corner of the globe. The wildfire-like transmission of the virus has made it unconquerable to control; with absolutely no regard to human life. Scientists and researchers all over the world have directed their research efforts into relentlessly finding a cure for the COVID-19 virus. A sigh of relief was brought about for the entire humankind when India’s very own, SII (Serum Institute of India) CEO Mr. Adar Poonawala announced that the SII in synergy with the Oxford-AstraZeneca is manufacturing the Covishield vaccine while Covaxin has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).
Let us try to break down some of the key points about both the vaccines. These points will talk about the type, efficacy and safety of the vaccines.
Type
Covishield
The Covishield vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (also known as an “adenovirus”) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like Coronavirus. When it is administered, the immune system is prompted to begin producing antibodies and any coronavirus infection transmitted post the dose is attacked by these antibodies.
Covaxin
Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine; which means it has been made using killed Coronaviruses. This makes it safe to be injected into the human body. Just like the Covishield, post administration, immune cells can recognise the dead virus which signals the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the pandemic virus.
Efficacy
Covishield
International clinical trials conducted by the English pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca for the Covishield showed that when people were administered half a dose and then a full dose, the effectiveness scale went up to 90%. However, unpublished data suggests that a longer gap between the two doses boosts the overall effectiveness of the vaccine. Given the vaccine in a subgroup this way, it was found to be 70% effective after the first dose.
Covaxin
According to a report by Bharat Biotech, interim analysis yielded from the Phase III trial of its Covid-19 vaccine displayed a 100% effectiveness against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The report went on to add that this has resulted in the drop of hospitalizations.
Safety, Side Effects & Mode of Administration
Covishield & Covaxin have both been proven effective and harmless. Both the vaccines; Covishield & Covaxin are intramuscular vaccines; meaning they should be administered into a muscle. Both the vaccines show minor side-effects as observed with any other vaccination. These side effects can be observed post-vaccination for both the vaccines. Some common side-effects post-administration of the two vaccines are as follows:
- Pain & tenderness at the site of injection.
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Myalgia – Muscle Pain (Covishield induced)
- Malaise – Generalised Weakness (Covishield induced)
- Pyrexia – Fever (Covishield induced)
- Nausea
- Body ache
- Sweating
- Tremors (Covaxin induced)
- Tremors (Covaxin induced)
Common FAQ
Who should not take the vaccine?
– People with allergic reactions/anaphylaxis (immediate or delayed to vaccines), food items, pharmaceutical products, injectables, etc.
– People with a history of allergic reaction to a previous dose of the Covid-19 vaccine
– Women who are pregnant (including the ones who are not sure of their pregnancy) and breastfeeding women
Latest Updates on the Vaccines
- According to a report dated May 5th, 2021, over 16.04 Crore vaccinations have been administered to date
- Of the total vaccinations administered to date, 81% are recipients of their first dose while 19% have received the second dose
- Total recoveries in India are now over 1.69 Crore with the recovery rate being at 82%
- Currently, there are 115 candidate vaccines (as on 10th May, 2021)
- Today, there are 33 candidate vaccines in Stage 3 clinical trials (as on 10th May, 2021)
- Sputnik V is the third vaccine India cleared for use after Serum Institute of India (SII)’s Covishield & Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin
- India will produce 850 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine every year
- Top health officials in India have stated that both Covaxin and Covishield are effective against the mutated, UK/South Africa/Brazil virus
Takeaway
- Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine.
- Covishield is a Chimpanzee adenovirus.
- Both of the vaccines are harmless with minor side-effects.
- Both vaccines have been proven effective.
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