The case of coronavirus infected patients is on the rise across the country. To ensure safety against the spread of the virus, due to the second wave of corona, vaccination against COVID-19 is going on. But, many people are still unaware of how the two vaccines Covaxin and Covishield are different from each other.
Covaxin is a vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based company known as Bharat Biotech International Ltd in alliance with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV). While Covishield has been developed by the Oxford-AstraZeneca. And, it is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
Let us Have a Discussion on Covaxin vs Covishield:-
Type
Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine. It has been developed on a tested platform of dead viruses. It is said to have been developed with Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology. This vaccine enables the immune system to prepare a defence mechanism against the active virus. There are several types of vaccines for other diseases as well which are made using the same technology. Some of these diseases are Seasonal influenza, Rabies, Polio, and Japanese encephalitis, etc. Covishield is prepared using the viral vector platform. This is a totally different technology which was even used to prepare vaccines for viruses like Ebola.
Doses
There is no difference between Covaxin and Covishield in terms of dosage. Both the types of vaccine follow a two-dose regimen which is set to be administered 28 days apart.
Storage Guidelines
Both the vaccines can be stored at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees Centigrade. This temperature is well suited for both the vaccines Most of the vaccines in India are kept at the same temperature range.
Efficacy
If we talk about the Covaxin vs Covishield efficacy rate, both the vaccines have shown more than satisfactory results ever since the inoculation started in India. According to the reports, the effectiveness of the Covishield vaccine is about 90%. While the efficacy of Covaxin is 81% according to interim 3rd phase trial results.
Side Effects of Covaxin vs Covishield
On getting either of the vaccine, you may experience pain at the site of injection. Some people also might experience headache, joint pain, and slight fever.However, it needs to be noted that these side effects do not persist for long and generally goes within a day or two.
Approvals
If we discuss about the approval status of the COVID vaccines, Covaxin has been approved with the restricted-use authorization. Covishield is allowed for limited use in emergency situations only.
Cost of the Vaccines
Both these COVID vaccines are being inoculated free of cost at government health set-ups. However, the government has put a certain price capping, which is Rs 250 per dose for the private hospitals and clinics.
Age of Beneficiaries
Covishield can be given to people aged 18 years and over. While Covaxin can be given to people aged 12 years and plus. If you have worrying about, is it safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Then, you need not be scared since the success rate of the vaccines is higher.
Summing up:-
The two vaccines play a crucial role to build up the antibody count in the body. This will help to alert the body to unleash protective defences whenever a future virus attack is suspected.
Apart from getting vaccinated, you must also take steps to enhance immunity. To know, how to boost immunity during covid 19, you must consult a physician. Additionally, you must take all the essential precautions like wearing a mask before stepping out, maintaining hand hygiene and so on.
Many people question, can you get coronavirus twice? Well, the answer to this question is that yes, it is possible to be infected with the virus twice. Therefore, it is important to get vaccinated and maintain a healthy lifestyle to boost your immunity.
