While it is important to take the vaccine, in order to protect self and others, immunity systems and illnesses differ, and there have been adverse reactions in a few cases. When India entered the fourth day of the coronavirus vaccination drive, 580 adverse events following the COVID-19 vaccinations were reported in the country.
Two out of seven people who developed severe adverse reactions after receiving the first jab died.
Bharat Biotech, which manufactured the Covaxin, released a fact sheet advising pregnant or breastfeeding women, besides people with high fever or bleeding disorders, not to take the vaccine.
Also, a fact sheet of Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactured Covishield, was released to advise people who are severely allergic to any ingredient of the vaccine, not to take the shot.
Here is a list of who should not take the vaccine, yet of course, everyone must first consult with his or her doctors and get an opinion.
Who should avoid Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin
People who are immune-compromised or are on medicines that affect the immunity
Have any history of allergies
Have fever
Have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
Are pregnant or breastfeeding since the effect of the vaccine has not been studied in pregnant women and nursing mothers
Have received another coronavirus vaccine
Any other serious health-related issues as determined by the healthcare officer supervising the vaccine.
Who should avoid Serum Institute’s Covishield
People who are severely allergic to any ingredient in Covishield. Ingredients in the vaccine include – L-Histidine, L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA), Water for injection.
If the first dose of Covishield caused an allergic reaction, avoid the second dose.
The fact sheets by both manufacturers also asked people to mention to their healthcare providers the following things:
All existing medical conditions
Any allergies
If you have a fever
If you are immunocompromised
Have received another Covid vaccine
Side-effects of the vaccines:
Both SII and Bharat Biotech listed the risks and side effects of their coronavirus vaccine. These include swelling, pain, redness, itching where the injection is administered. Also listed were stiffness in the upper arm, weakness in injection arm, body ache, headache, fever, malaise, fatigue, rashes, nausea, vomiting as some of the common side-effects of the Covid vaccines.
In its fact sheet, Bharat Biotech says in the ongoing clinical trial, Covaxin generated immunity against the infection following two doses given four weeks apart. However, it further said, the clinical efficacy of Covaxin is “yet to be established” as it is still being studied in phase 3.
The SII in its Covishield fact sheet stated that the vaccine has been shown to prevent Covid-19 disease following two doses given between 4 and 12 weeks apart. The duration of protection against the coronavirus disease is currently unknown but people may get a protective immune response 4 weeks after the second dose of the Covishield vaccine.
WHO (World Health Organization) says, “The COVID-19 vaccines produce protection against the disease, as a result of developing an immune response to the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Developing immunity through vaccination means there is a reduced risk of developing the illness and its consequences.
This immunity helps you fight the virus if exposed. Getting vaccinated may also protect people around you because if you are protected from getting infected and from disease, you are less likely to infect someone else. This is particularly important to protect people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as healthcare providers, older or elderly adults, and people with other medical conditions.”