Get Yourself vaccinated against Covid-19.
Check your nearest vaccination center and slots availability —>>> REGISTER HERE
Side-effects of Covid-19 vaccines in INDIA – Covaxin & Covishield
COVAXINTM
COVAXINTM is India‘s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. It is developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV). COVAXINTM has been approved for emergency use in India for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 18 years of age and older. It has been developed by using inactivated/killed virus.
Side-effects of Covid-19 vaccine – Covaxin™
Various side-effects reported with the BHARAT BIOTECH COVID-19 VACCINE (COVAXIN™) include:
- Pain, Swelling, Redness, Itching at the injection site
- Stiffness in the upper arm
- Weakness in injection arm
- Body ache
- Headache
- Fever
- Malaise
- Weakness
- Rashes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
In some cases COVAXIN™ can cause severe allergic reactions. The signs of severe allergic reaction include –
- Difficulty in breathing,
- Swelling of your face and throat,
- Tachycardia (fast heartbeat),
- Rash all over your body,
- Dizziness and weakness,
- Loss of consciousness
If you experience any of the serious side effects, please visit your nearest hospital immediately.
Who should not get COVAXIN™ vaccine?
You should not get the Bharat BIOTECH Covid-19 vaccine (COVAXIN™) if you have:
- any history of allergies.
- a fever.
- a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- received another COVID-19 vaccine.
- Any other serious health-related issues, as determined by the Vaccinator/Officer supervising vaccination.
Also Avoid COVAXIN™ if you are:
- immune-compromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
- pregnant.
- breastfeeding.
UPDATE: Although no clinical trials have been done in pregnant females, In the USA in February 2021, 20000 pregnant females were given covid-19 vaccination with no alarming signs reported. FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) recommends the covid-19 vaccination to pregnant females and breastfeeding women. Current Vaccines are based on non-live viruses which are usually safe in pregnancy.
According to a recent update, India Government has issued new guidelines in which they have allowed pregnant and lactating mothers to take covid vaccination. Do consult your doctor before getting covid vaccination.
What are the ingredients of the COVAXIN™ Vaccine?
The BHARAT BIOTECH COVID-19 VACCINE (COVAXIN™) includes the following ingredients:
- 6µg of whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen (Strain: NIV-2020-770), and
- inactive ingredients such as aluminium hydroxide gel (250 µg),
- TLR 7/8 agonist (imidazoquinolinone) 15 µg,
- TM 2-phenoxyethanol 2.5 mg, and
- phosphate buffer saline up to 0.5 ml.
How is the COVAXIN™ vaccine given?
The COVAXIN™ will be given as intramuscular injection (IM) into the deltoid muscle or the upper arm. Two doses are given 4 weeks apart.
COVISHIELD™
The COVISHIELD™ vaccine has been approved for emergency use in India for the prevention of
COVID-19 disease in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Side-effects of Covid-19 vaccine – Covishield™
Various side-effects reported with the Covishield vaccine are as follows:
Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Pain and tenderness at the injection site,
- Swelling at the injection site,
- redness and warmth at the injection site,
- itching and bruising at the injection site,
- fever with or without chills,
- fatigue and feeling tired,
- headache,
- nausea, and
- generally feeling unwell,
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- a lump at the injection site
- fever,
- vomiting,
- cough
- flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- feeling dizzy
- decreased appetite
- abdominal pain
- enlarged lymph nodes
- excessive sweating, itchy skin or rash
In some cases Covishield can cause severe allergic reactions. The signs of severe allergic reaction include–
- Difficulty in breathing,
- Swelling of your face and throat,
- Tachycardia (fast heartbeat),
- Rash all over your body,
- Dizziness and weakness,
- Loss of consciousness
If you experience any of the serious side effects, please visit your nearest hospital immediately.
These are the reported Side-effects of Covid-19 vaccines in INDIA – Covaxin & Covishield.
In addition, you can report side effects after vaccination to Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. who is the manufacturer of the COVISHIELD vaccine.
The 24 x 7 Call Center Toll-Free Number (For Medical and Adverse Event-Related Queries Only): +91-1800 1200124 or mail them at pharmacovigilance@seruminstitute.com
Who should not get the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine?
You shouldn’t get COVISHIELD™ vaccine if you had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine or had an allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine.
What are the ingredients of the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine?
The COVISHIELD™ Vaccine includes the following ingredients:
- L-Histidine,
- L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate,
- Magnesium chloride hexahydrate,
- Polysorbate 80,
- Ethanol,
- Sucrose,
- Sodium chloride,
- Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA),
- Water for injection.
How is the COVISHIELD™ vaccine given?
The COVISHIELD™ Vaccine will be given to you as an intramuscular (IM) injection only, preferably in the deltoid muscle.
The COVISHIELD™ vaccination course consists of two separate doses of 0.5 ml each given 4-6 weeks apart.
Update: As of 13th May 2021, the government of India has increased the gap to 12-16 weeks between 2 doses of the COVISHIELD™ vaccine.
How long should you wait for COVISHIELD™ vaccination after recovering from Covid-19 infection?
Wait for 6 months after recovery.
