The entire world has gone through a tough time in the last two years. The coronavirus pandemic has put a stop on the whole world. Many lost lives due to no verified medical treatment against it. Luckily, scientists and renowned medical researchers around the world have come up with many vaccines in recent times. Sonya went to take her second dose of vaccination. Sonya took the shot of covaxin.
After taking the double amount of covaxin, she started to feel nauseated, and her hand, in which injection was given, swelled up. Sonya got very scared, but the doctor at the vaccine center calmed her down and told her that this was a side effect of covaxin second dose.Â
If you want to know more about covaxin second dose side effects, keep reading this blog post.
Everything You Need To Know About Covaxin
It is a vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech, an Indian biotechnology company, and the Indian Council of Medical Research. It is a vaccination for Covid-19. Its efficacy rate is 78% against the novel coronavirus. It is a two-dose vaccine. India’s drug regulatory authority, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, passed the vaccine for emergency use initially, but now people above the age of 18 years are getting vaccinated by covaxin.Â
Covaxin is also known as BBV152. It is a whole-virus vaccine which is called an inactivated vaccine. It means it incorporates a modified or dead version of the virus; hence, it can not multiply and cause the disease. This, when an inactivated vaccine triggers the immune system, and in response, it produces antibodies.
In recent times, after taking the shot of covaxin side effects, the second dose is seen.
Known Side effects of Covaxin Second DoseÂ
The plan is to get the whole country vaccinated. But there are covaxin 2nd dose side effects seen among many people. Let us have a look at these side effects of covaxin second dose.
Common side effects
Some of the primary and most common covaxin second dose side effects according to the Indian governments’ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, i.e., MoHFW are-
- HeadachesÂ
- Irritation
- Fever
- Pain
- Swelling in arm
- Pain and swelling at the site of injectionÂ
These covaxin 2nd dose side effects are somewhat similar to the side effects of other existing Covid-19 vaccines. These side effects can be low, mid, or high. After the second dose, these covaxin side effects are expected to last for about a few days.
The side effects of covaxin second dose during the vaccine’s phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials were fatigue, nausea, body aches, chills, and vomiting. However, no covaxin severe second dose side effects were reported.Â
The Indian governments’ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, i.e., MoHFW, advises taking paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen or Tylenol, if these side effects are mild. These medicines will help alleviate the side effects of the second dose of covaxin.
Allergies and other contraindications
The fact sheet for the covaxin, which Bharat Biotech releases, states that the chances of a severe allergic reaction are rare after the second dose of covaxin, but it is definitely possible. The fact sheet says that if an allergic reaction is caused after taking a covaxin shot, it may include the following symptoms-
- Swelling in faceÂ
- Swelling in throat
- Difficulty in breathing
- Increase in heart rate causing rapid heartbeat
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Rashes throughout the body
For people who have a history of allergies, this vaccine has a contraindication. The fact sheet does not specify whether this is all-encompassing or whether it applies to only those who are allergic to the ingredients of the vaccine.
Bharat Biotech, in the covaxin’s fact sheet, strictly warns that people who have bleeding disorders or mothers who are breastfeeding should not take this vaccine.
Rumors were that this vaccine affects fertility, but the Indian governments’ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, i.e., MoHFW states that covaxin does not have any effect on fertility and that such claims do not have any scientific or research basis.
ConclusionÂ
With the recent onset of the vaccination drives across the world against Covid-19, different vaccines have surged up. The covaxin 2nd dose side effects have made people worried about taking the vaccination after taking the shot of covaxin side effects after the second dose is seen. But the officials and the manufacturers have assured that these side effects are mild and have also prescribed common over-the-counter medicines to alleviate such side effects. It is necessary to take a vaccination amidst this global pandemic of coronavirus. Be a responsible citizen and fulfil your responsibility by completing your course of immunization.
FAQs:
Which COVID-19 vaccines are licensed in India?
The two most common and famous vaccines for Covid-19 in India were granted emergency use authorization by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, i.e., the CDSCO in India. These vaccines are Covishield, which is AstraZeneca's vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin, which is manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited. Another vaccine that was granted emergency use authorization is the Sputnik-V which was developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Russia.Â
What is Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)?
The emergency use authorization or EUA is a regulatory mechanism. This mechanism allows the use of vaccines and medicines to prevent or reduce the impact of life-threatening diseases or conditions as caused by the Covid-19. Before granting the emergency use of authorization, rigorous tests and assessments are run to ensure the quality of the vaccine. Clinical trials are done to check and collect data on the quality, safety, production of protective antibodies and efficacy is conducted. Safety is the most critical aspect which is given the most attention. Risk versus benefit evaluation is done in the context of a public health emergency. Licensure is obtained only when the manufacturer hands in the complete data of the vaccine. Emergency use authorization by Indian regulators aligns with existing global guidelines
