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 four to six 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.
