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The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown life out of gear all over the globe in 2020, affecting more than 87 million people and claiming over 1.8 million lives. Despite fewer number of cases, we are still witnessing people grappling under the fear of this deadly contagious disease, sprouting of coronavirus clusters every few days be it at weddings, hotels or even universities. Ever since WHO announced coronavirus as a pandemic, the focus was on inventing the right vaccine and it is no exaggeration that various medical research facilities and labs across the globe raced against time with scientists and researchers working 24x7, hoping to find a cure or preventive medication.
Finally, the year 2021 brought in some good news and with the advent of effective vaccines for combating the rapid spread of this contagious infection, we can hopefully heave a sigh of relief. An effective vaccination means that we can all limp back to normalcy just like in pre-corona era. However, there are many questions that are being raised about this preventive medication its effectiveness, immunity and most importantly side effects.
Read on to find out the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines, how they work and the importance of following the infection prevention steps.
Coronavirus can lead to serious and lethal complications in some individuals. Since it is a highly contagious infection, getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help in safeguarding the body by building an antibody response in the system without falling ill due to coronavirus. Furthermore, getting vaccinated may also help you protect people around you from being infected with the novel coronavirus infection.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the country's national drug regulator, announced on Sunday (January 3) that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has decided to accept the recommendations of its Subject Expert Committee (SEC), and approved the COVID-19 vaccines of both Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for restricted use in the country. (Source: The Indian Express)
The Covishield vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India is a non-replicating viral vector that makes use of another weakened virus like the common cold chimpanzee virus. This vaccine works to make spike protein on the virus's surface, where the body's immune system will recognize that the protein doesn't belong there and starts building an immune stimulus making antibodies against the virus
The Covaxin vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech uses a different technology of an inactivated vaccine that makes uses of the killed SARS-C0V-2 virus, which would not infect or replicate once injected, but serves to trigger an immune response. This vaccine is likely to target more than the spike protein, as it aims to develop an immune response to the nucleocapsid protein.
Most people have many questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. Matters are not being helped by some rumours that are being circulated among people. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
No, vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary, however, it is advisable to receive COVID-19 vaccine for safeguarding oneself and to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts.
Yes, the two vaccines introduced in India will be effective. They have undertaken several phases of vaccine trials to assure its safety and efficacy.
Yes, COVID-19 vaccination should be given to you regardless of whether you already had been infected. This will help in developing a robust immune response against the disease.
A person with confirmed coronavirus infection may increase the risk of transmitting the same to others at the vaccination site. Hence, infected individuals should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms settle.
Yes. Individuals with comorbid diseases are categorized as a high-risk group, hence, they need to get COVID-19 vaccination.
Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have to be taken at a 28-day interval. Health experts recommend that a gap of 2-3 months between each dose can increase effectiveness.
As is common with all other vaccines, mild fever and pain at the site of injection are usual side effects
It is not suggested to change from one vaccine to another during the vaccination period.
(This article is written by Dr Ambanna Gowda, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore)