The COVID-19 vaccination drive has already begun in India, and several people are still unaware of how the two vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield are different.
The next stage started on April 1, in which individuals over the age of 18 can take life-saving shots.
Right now, the government has not allowed people to settle on which vaccine they wish to get, but the consequence of the first phase obviously indicates that both the vaccines being inoculated in India are safe and effective.
The differences between Covishield and Covaxin
| Indicator | COVISHIELD | COVAXIN |
| Type of Vaccine | Recombinant vaccine based on Viral Vector Technology | Whole-Virion Inactivated Corona Virus Vaccine |
| No. of doses in each vial | 10 | 20 |
| Shelf life | 6 months | 6 months |
| Expiry date available on vial | Yes | Yes |
| Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM) | Not Available | Not Available |
| Route | Intramuscular (IM) Injectable | Intramuscular (IM) Injectable |
| Physical Appearance of Vaccine | Clear to slightly brown | Whitish translucent |
| Dose | 0.5 ml each | 0.5 ml each dose |
| Course | dose 2-doses | 2-doses |
| Schedule | 12-16weeks apart | 4-6 weeks apart |
| Vaccination during Pregnancy | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Vaccination >18 years of age | Recommended | Recommended |
| Paediatric age group and <18 years of age | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Vaccination to Lactating mother | Recommended | Not recommended |
| Storage and transportation | +2 C to +80℃ at all levels | +2 C to +8℃ at all levels |
| Cold chain storage space in secondary packaging | 2.109 cm3 | 1.7187 cm3 |
| Shake test | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Open Vial Policy | Not applicable (Discard after 4 hours of opening) | Not applicable (Discard after 4 hours of opening) |
| Freeze Sensitive | Yes | Yes |
| Discard the vaccine vial, if found | ‘frozen’ or ‘frozen and thawed’ | ‘frozen’ or ‘frozen and thawed’ |
| Discard the vial, if | Solution is discolored or visible particles are observed | Presence of particulate matter or other coloration |
| AEFI | Some mild AEFI may occur like injection site tenderness, injection site pain, headache, fatigue, myalgia, malaise, pyrexia, chills and arthralgia, nausea | Some mild AEFIs may occur like injection site pain, headache, fatigue, fever, body ache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness-giddiness, tremor, sweating, cold, cough and injection site swelling |
| AEFI Other | Paracetamol way be used to provide symptomatic relief from post— vaccination adverse reactions Very rare events of demyelinating disorders have been reported following vaccination with this Vaccine without the causal relationship establishment As with other intramuscular injections, COVISHIELD should be given with caution to individuals with thrombocytopenia | |
| Any other instruction | Shake well, before use Use of Chloroquine and Corticosteroids may impair antibody response. | |
| Official website for registration | COWIN | COWIN |
Covaxin vs Covishield — Which is better?
Well, we’ve compiled all the information to provide you with a better knowledge of the formula and every other detail concerning the vaccine you’re likely to get to stay secure from the Coronavirus. Have a look:
Type of Vaccines:
Covaxin vaccine is an inactivated viral vaccine. This vaccine is manufactured by the Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology. They contain inactivated viruses, which could not infect an individual but still can teach the immune system to prepare a defense mechanism against the active virus.
Covishield vaccines are prepared by using adenovirus as a vector, and hence it is called Viral vector technology, which is totally different from others.
A chimpanzee adenovirus — ChAdOx1 — was altered to help it carry the COVID-19 spike protein into the cells of people. This cold virus is basically incapable of infecting the recipient but can very well teach the immune system to prepare a mechanism against such viruses.
The exact technology has been used to prepare vaccines for viruses like Ebola.
There’s no difference between the two vaccines in terms of dosage. Both Covishield and Ebola vaccines are administered as 0.5ml in the upper arm region.
But, the dosing interval for both Covaxin and Covishield, however, varies. The second dose of Covaxin is scheduled following 4-6 months after the first dose, while for Covishield vaccines, it’s 84 times or 12-16 weeks after the initial dose.
Storage Guidelines
Both Covishield and Covaxin, to be stored at 2-8° Centigrade, which is a normal temperature of the refrigerator. This leaves both the vaccines best suited for Indian conditions as the majority of the vaccines here are retained at the same temperature range.
This also makes the storage and transportation of the two vaccines easier.
The two vaccines have demonstrated more than satisfactory results since the inoculation began in India.
Side effects
After getting the vaccine, from few hours to few days, you may experience pain at the site of injection. Some people can also experience side effects such as headache, joint pain and may feel feverish. These side effects do not last for long and generally go within a day or 2.
Covaxin has started its clinical trial in children aged over two years old.
On the other hand, the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) has not given an industry use authorization clearance to some of the vaccines till now.
Mode of government
The two Covaxin and Covishield are vaccines, are approved by Government of India for emergency use.
Age of beneficiaries
Both Covishield and Covaxin vaccines have been given emergency authorization for administration of vaccines in those individuals whose age is18 years and above; however, there is still no guidelines for Covid vaccination in children and pregnant women.
Dose schedule:
For Covishield, period between 1st and 2nd doses is 12-16 weeks while for Covaxin period between the two doses is 4-6 weeks.
Efficacy:
Covishield:
The data provided by serum institute of India, shows that Covishield vaccine is protective against the B 1.1.7 (UK variant), B.1.167.1 and P.1 (Brazil variant). And also, very less efficacy seen against the B.1.351 (South Africa). However, it has prevented from progressing to severe disease. (Source)
ICMR has done a study and depicted that Covishield works against Delta variant. (Source)
Covaxin:
Covaxin vaccine has shown effectiveness against variants: Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta(B.1.351) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variant.
Eligibility:
For both the vaccine, people above 18 years old may opt for the vaccines.
The most recent updates about the COVID vaccine
257 million doses of this COVID vaccine are awarded in India. More than 47 million individuals have received 2 doses of the vaccine and therefore are considered fully vaccinated.
Top health officials in India have said both Covaxin and Covishield are powerful against the mutated UK/South Africa/Brazil virus.
Recently, Russian vaccine – the Sputnik V vaccine has taken approval for emergency use in India. Some studies are saying there are no strong allergies seen by the Sputnik V vaccine.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for informative purposes only and isn’t intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare practitioner. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their doctor to determine the appropriateness of the advice to your reader’s situation.