Both SII and Bharat Biotech have listed risks and side effects of their coronavirus vaccine. Here is a list of all those who should not take the vaccine, and also the side effects being reported by those who have taken the emergency vaccine in the last few days.
As India kick-started with the vaccination process, 580 adverse events following inoculation were reported in the country. Two out of seven people who developed severe adverse symptoms after receiving the first jab died. While more than 3.8 lakh people have been vaccinated for Covid-19 in the country, the manufacturers of Covishield and Covaxin – India’s indigenous vaccines – came out with fact sheets on who should not be taking the jabs.
Fact Sheet
Bharat Biotech, which manufactured the Covaxin, released a fact sheet advising pregnant or breastfeeding women, besides people with high fever or bleeding disorders, not to take the vaccine. On the other hand, the fact sheet of Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactured Covishield, was released to advise people who are severely allergic to any ingredient of the vaccine, not to take the shot.
Who Should Avoid Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin
- Have received another coronavirus vaccine.
- People who are immune-compromised or are on medicines that affect the immunity.
- Have any history of allergies.
- Have fever.
- Have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding since the effect of the vaccine has not been studied in pregnant women and nursing mothers.
- Any other serious health-related issues as determined by the healthcare officer supervising the vaccine.
Who Should Avoid Serum Institute’s Covishield
- People who are severely allergic to any ingredient in Covishield. Ingredients in the vaccine include – L-Histidine, L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA), Water for injection.
- If the first dose of Covishield caused an allergic reaction, avoid the second dose
The fact sheets by both manufacturers also asked people to mention to their healthcare providers the following things:
- All existing medical conditions
- Any allergies
- If you have a fever
- If you are immunocompromised
- Have received another Covid vaccine
Side-effects Of The Vaccines
Both SII and Bharat Biotech listed the risks and side effects of their coronavirus vaccine. These include swelling, pain, redness, itching where the injection is administered. Also listed were stiffness in the upper arm, weakness in injection arm, body ache, headache, fever, malaise, fatigue, rashes, nausea, vomiting as some of the common side-effects of the Covid vaccines.
In its fact sheet, Bharat Biotech says in the ongoing clinical trial, Covaxin generated immunity against the infection following two doses given four weeks apart. However, it further said, the clinical efficiency of Covaxin is “yet to be established” as it is still being studied in phase 3.
The SII in its Covishield fact sheet said that the vaccine has been shown to prevent Covid-19 disease following two doses given between four and 12 weeks apart. The duration of protection against the coronavirus disease is currently unknown but people may get a protective immune response 4 weeks after the second dose of the Covishield vaccine.
Featured Image Credit: Zee News