COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. It is expectd that you may have few side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects should go away in a few days.
Governement of India approved two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin
Covishield is made by Serum Institute of India (SII) and Covaxin is manufactured by Bharat Biotech.
First phase:
The first phase of the immunisation drive against COVID-19 had begun on January 16 with healthcare workers of India’s COVID-19 battle getting their first jabs. It gradually extended to front-line workers on February 2.
Second phase:
The second phase of the mass COVID-19 vaccination drive began on March 1. In the second phase people above 60 years and above 45 years with comorbidities would be administered the vaccine.
While vaccination is completely free at all government hospitals, people visiting private hospitals for vaccination will be charged up to Rs 250 per shot. The government has fixed the price of each dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Rs 150 and has allowed private hospitals to charge up to Rs 100 as a service fee.
As senior citizens across the country take part in the vaccination drive, here are the list of possible side effects they need two know about the two vaccines – Covaxin and Covishield. The companies have detailed these possible adverse events in fact-sheets uploaded on their websites.
Who should not take Covaxin?
Those who have any history of allergies, fever, bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, are immune-compromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system, are pregnant, are breastfeeding, have received another COVID-19 vaccine, any other serious health related issues, as determined by the vaccinator/officer supervising vaccination, must NOT take Covaxin.
Side-effects of Covaxin
The mild side-effects of the drug include
- injection site pain
- injection site swelling
- injection site redness
- injection site itching
- stiffness in the upper arm
- weakness in injection arm
- body ache
- headache
- fever
- malaise
- weakness
- rashes
- nausea
- vomiting
The company said that there is a slim chance the vaccine causes a severe allergic reaction.
Signs of a severe adverse event include difficulty in breathing, swelling of face and throat, fast heart-beat, rashes all over the body, dizziness and weakness.
Who should not take Covishield?
The Serum Institute of India fact-sheet says those who have ever had severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any drug, food, any vaccine or any ingredients of the vaccine must avoid the drug.
Those who have fever, have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects the immune system must also not take the vaccine. Those who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, those breastfeeding must also skip the vaccine. People who have taken another anti-Covid vaccine should not take Covishield.
People who had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine must also avoid taking the drug.
Side-effects of Covishield
Common side-effects:
- Tenderness
- pain
- warmth
- redness
- itching
- swelling or bruising where the injection is given
- generally feeling unwell
- feeling tired (fatigue) chills or feeling feverish
- headache
- feeling sick (nausea)
- joint pain or muscle ache
- a lump at the injection site
- fever
- being sick (vomiting)
- flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills
Uncommon side-effects:
- Feeling dizzy
- decreased appetite
- abdominal pain
- enlarged lymph nodes
- excessive sweating
- itchy skin or rash
“These may not be all the possible side effects of the vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur,” the company warns.
Remember
- Side effects can affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.
- Beneficiaries have to take two doses of vaccine 28 days apart to complete the vaccination schedule. Get the second shot even if you have side effects after the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get a second shot.
- According to the vaccination guidelines by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, antibodies develop two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
