Covishield vs Covaxin vs Sputnik vs Pfizer
Amidst the havoc that ongoing coronavirus pandemic has created, scientists around the world have brought a ray of hope in the form of vaccines, which is by far the only way to guard oneself, against the deadly disease. Vaccines train your immune system to recognize and attack the virus, because it is a form of infection that is injected into your body to strengthen your immunity.
Following are some of the most notable benefits of COVID-19 vaccine:
The vaccine may not completely prevent you from catching the disease, but can save you from getting severely ill and reduce any further health complications.
Since you are safeguarded from catching the virus, you do not act as a carrier, thus breaking the chain which slows down the spread of the virus.
The virus does not replicate itself as much faster, thereby curbing the formation of any new mutations which are resistant to vaccines.
After several stages of clinical trials, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and DGCI (Drug Controller General of India) have permitted the use of the vaccine for mass usage. The Indian government aims to vaccinate around 250 million people across the nation and the following vaccines have been permitted to be used for mass vaccination:
1. Covaxin produced by Bharat Biotech
2. Covishield produced Serum Institute of India
3. Sputnik V produced by Gamaleya Institute, Moscow
4. Pfizer-Biontech
Covishield
The vaccine has been produced by Serum Institute of India (SII). With more than 100 million doses already in the market, Covishield is provided to the government at Rs 200 per dose. Covishield vaccine course is given in two doses of 0.5ml each within a time span of 12 weeks. It can be used in emergency situations for individuals who are 18 years and above. For those who suffer from any kind of allergic reaction after taking the first dose of Covishield, should not be administered with the second dose.
Covishield is primarily the Indian version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and is made from the weakened version of adenovirus. The virus is originally taken from Chimpanzees and further modified to replicate coronavirus. When the vaccine is injected into the person, it starts making antibodies and prepares the immune system to attack any kind of coronavirus.
Covaxin
It is claimed to be India’s first indigenous vaccine, developed by Bharat Biotech, in close collaboration and guidance with ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research). Covaxin is developed using the inactivated vero cell derived technology. It consists of the dead virus which are unable to replicate aur mutate further, but are effective enough to make the immune system prepare for any attacks against the infection. The vaccine consists of a combination of immune-potentiators which are clinically proven to develop immunogenicity.
It is also a two-dose vaccine, to be given within a time span of 28 days. During clinical studies, Covaxin has demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness against the deadly virus.
Sputnik V
Sputnik V is produced by Moscow based Gamaleya Institute. The vaccine is developed using a cold virus as a carrier and a small fragment of coronavirus is injected into the body. It is a safe way of exposing the body to a genetically modified strain of coronavirus, so that the body prepares itself to fight against the deadly infection when contracted. Once the vaccine is injected into the body, the immune system starts making antibodies which are engineered to fight against coronavirus. Given the tropical climate and high temperatures in India, it wouldn’t be a challenge to transport and store Sputnik V as it requires around 2-8 degrees for storage.
Unlike the other two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, Sputnik V is given in two doses, but both are different jabs. Both the doses are developed with different vectors, to target distinctive spikes of the virus. This makes Sputnik V highly effective in fighting different mutants of the virus and provide much greater protection.
Pfizer-Biontech
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It can be used in individuals aged 12 years or above. The formula of this vaccine includes introduction of lipid nanoparticles to the body that instructs the immune system to generate the spike protein that is found in coronavirus. The process triggers a response and anti-bodies are formed.
Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
Following side effects can be observed in people who have been vaccinated with any of the above stated vaccines:
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Fever
Headache
Joint pain or body ache
Lump or swelling at the injection site
Most side effects do not last for more than four days and it is very common to have observed one or more such side effects. They are generally the result of your immune system working harder to make anti-bodies. You should however consult your doctor if any of the side effects bother you or do not go away for a prolonged period.