Covaxin Vaccine



Product introduction
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 4 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.
Uses of Covaxin Solution for Injection
- Prevention of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Benefits of Covaxin Solution for Injection
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.
Side effects of Covaxin Solution for Injection
- Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
- Vomiting
- Rash
- Headache
- Fever
- Feeling of discomfort
- Nausea
How to use Covaxin Solution for Injection
How Covaxin Solution for Injection works
Quick tips
- 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.