The coronavirus has affected everyone’s lives, no one has been spared by this deadly disease. It has claimed more than 1.5 lakh lives in the country. Millions of people have lost their loved ones during this pandemic.
However, here is some good news to give you a sigh of relief that India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive has begun on January 16. In the vaccination drive, the doctors are using two vaccines – Covishield made by Serum Institute of India (SII) and Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer of Covaxin, has issued a fact sheet on who should avoid taking the vaccine to avoid possible side effects. According to the company’s website, those with a history of allergies, suffering from fever, bleeding disorder, pregnant or breastfeeding, serious health-related issues should not be injected with Covaxin among other conditions.
Those who are immune-compromised or are on medicine that affects immune system, and those who have received another Covid-19 vaccine should also not get the Bharat Biotech’s medicine, the company said.
So who all can get Covaxin shots? The fact sheet from Bharat Biotech says that CDSCO has authorised the restricted use of its vaccine under clinical trial mode.
“Individuals who are prioritised under the public health program of the ministry of health and family welfare, will be covered under this endeavour. Informing the individuals about the offer for vaccination with Covaxin will rest with the respective government program officials. Those offered Covaxin at pre-specified booths will have the options to receive or reject administration of the vaccine,” the fact sheet said.
The company document further described the ingredients in the Covaxin. It contains 64g of whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen (Strain: NIV-2020-770), and the other inactive ingredients such as aluminum hydroxide gel (250 μg), TLR 7/8 agonist (imidazoquinolinone) 15 μg, 2-phenoxyethanol 2.5 mg, and phosphate buffer saline up to 0.5 ml.
“The vaccine thus has been developed by using inactivated/killed virus along with the aforementioned chemicals,” said Bharat Biotech.
Covaxin is administered as an injection into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. It is a two-dose series given four weeks apart, Bharat Biotech further said.
