




Covishield Vaccine
Written By Dr. Lipika Khurana, PGDHHM, BDS,
Reviewed By Dr. Sachin Gupta, MD Pharmacology, MBBS,
Last updated on 25 Nov 2025 | 03:05 PM (IST)
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Product introduction
Covishield Vaccine has been developed by AstraZeneca with Oxford university in the UK and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. Successful clinical trials have been conducted in Sout Africa, Brazil, and the UK with bridging study results in the Indian population based on which the approval was granted by DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India).
Covishield Vaccine is given as an injection into the muscle of the upper arm. The vaccination course consists of two separate doses, given 4 to 6 weeks apart. Taking just a single dose is not enough as it is insufficient to produce a protective level of antibodies in the body to prevent the infection. So make sure you turn up for the second dose for maximum benefits.
The possible side effects of Covishield Vaccine include reactions at the site of injection (such as pain, swelling, and redness), headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, malaise (general discomfort), fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Most of these side effects are mild and temporary (subside within 2-3 days) that subside on their own. If required, you may take paracetamol to provide symptomatic relief. However, if these persist (symptoms continue beyond 2-3 days) or get worse, let the doctor know.
To make sure the vaccine is safe, before receiving the vaccine, it is important to let your doctor or vaccinator know if you have any other illnesses, history of any allergy, fever, or bleeding disorders. You should also tell the doctor about all the medicines you are taking, especially blood thinners or any medicines affecting your immune system.
Children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers have not been a part of the 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 Covishield Vaccine.
Uses of Covishield Solution for Injection
- Prevention of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Benefits of Covishield Solution for Injection
Covishield Vaccine is used for preventing COVID-19 infection. Moreover, even if you get infected, Covishield Vaccine may help reduce the severity of that infection. However, make sure to complete the entire dosing schedule of Covishield Vaccine. Additionally, take all the necessary precautions to ensure your safety, such as wearing a face mask, avoiding crowded places, washing your hands at regular intervals, and maintaining social distancing whenever and wherever possible.
Side effects of Covishield Solution for Injection
- Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Feeling of discomfort
- Fever
- Chills
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fatigue
How to use Covishield Solution for Injection
How Covishield Solution for Injection works
Quick tips
- Covishield Vaccine is a 2-dose vaccination regimen. The second dose is administered between 4 and 6 weeks after the first dose.
- Covishield Vaccine is usually given into the muscle (intramuscularly) of the upper arm.
- Getting vaccinated is voluntary. However, it is advisable to complete the vaccination schedule to restrict the spread of the virus.
- Have a proper meal before visiting the vaccination site. Do not get vaccinated on an empty stomach.
- Individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolution as they may increase the risk of spreading the infection to others at the vaccination site.
- 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.)
- You may be observed at the vaccination center itself to guard against any immediate allergic reaction or side effect.
- In addition to vaccination, observe other control measures such as social distancing, mask donning, and hand-washing.
- Covishield Vaccine is currently not meant to be administered in children as safety and efficacy are not yet established.
- Covishield Vaccine is a 2-dose vaccination regimen. The second dose is administered between 4 to 6 weeks after the first dose.
- Covishield Vaccine is usually given into the muscle (intramuscularly) of the upper arm.
- Getting vaccinated is voluntary. However, it is advisable to complete the vaccination schedule to restrict the spread of the virus.
- 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.
- Have a proper meal before visiting the vaccination site. Do not get vaccinated on an empty stomach.
- Individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolution as they may increase the risk of spreading the infection to others at the vaccination site.
- 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.)
- You may be observed at the vaccination center itself to guard against any immediate allergic reaction or side effect.
- In addition to vaccination, observe other control measures such as social distancing, mask donning, and hand-washing.
- Covishield Vaccine is currently not meant to be administered in children as safety and efficacy are not yet established.
Safety advice

Alcohol

Pregnancy

Breast feeding

Driving
Covishield Vaccine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, some of the adverse reactions may temporarily affect the ability to drive or use machines.

Kidney

Liver
Frequently asked questions
Fact Box
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References
- COVISHIELD [Package Insert]. Pune, Maharashtra: Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- COVISHIELD [Fact Sheet for Vaccine Recipient]. Pune, Maharashtra: Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Vaccination: Frequently Asked Questions. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- COVISHIELD [Product Monograph Including Patient Medication Information]. Mississauga, Ontario: Verity Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2021. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- World Health Organization. Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- World Health Organization. Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Common Side Effects (AEFI): Some common ailments that can be expected after vaccination. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Questions and Answers. [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Government of India. Letter from Additional Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding Contraindications and Factsheet for COVID-19 vaccines [Accessed 03 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Hartford Healthcare. These Are the Top 5 Vaccine Questions on Google. We Have the Answers. [Accessed 04 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Moyer MW. When Will Kids Get COVID Vaccines? Scientific American. 2021 Mar. 30. [Accessed 04 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- Camero K. Don’t worry if you catch coronavirus when fully vaccinated — it can happen. Here’s why. Miami Herald. 2021 Apr. 01. [Accessed 04 Apr. 2021] (online) Available from:
- ChAdOx1 nCoV- 19 Corona Virus Vaccine (Recombinant) [Pacakge Insert]. Hadapsar, Haryana: Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. [Accessed 19 Oct. 2023] (online) Available from:




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