How efficient is Covaxin against Covid-19 & its different variants?

Ever since the pandemic, India has slowly ranked up to the second spot of most COVID-affected countries globally. In January 2021, when the COVID vaccination drive was announced in India, only two vaccines were initially cleared for vaccinating the masses by the drug regulators in India. The two vaccines were Covishield and Covaxin.

Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), is the first indigenously developed COVID vaccine in India. The Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine is created using a Whole-Virion Inactivated Viro Cell-derived platform. This inactivated vaccine contains dead viruses not capable of infecting people but still able to instruct your immune system to defend itself against a COVID infection.

With different variants of COVID being introduced regularly, how effective is Covaxin against COVID today? Let’s find out more about this vaccine and its efficacy against the various variants of COVID-19.

Covaxin Efficacy Against COVID & Its Variants

• SARS CoV 2

Originally the COVID-19 pandemic started with the SARS CoV 2 virus, which was a mutation of the existing Coronavirus strain. Bharat Biotech developed Covaxin, and the ICMR shows the efficacy of 81% in preventing a COVID-19 infection.

• Delta Variant

The Delta Variant was the cause for the second wave of COVID-19 in India in 2021. This variant was marked as a variant of concern by the WHO after first being noticed around December 2020 - January 2021. Covaxin, as per current reports, has an efficacy of 65% in preventing a COVID infection from the Delta variant of the virus.

• Omicron Variant

The Omicron variant was first discovered in 2021. As of 2022, the Omicron variant is the leading cause of the number of rising cases in India. Given that this variant of COVID is still relatively new, the vaccine efficacy data against this variant is yet to be released from any verifiable sources for Covaxin. However, being fully vaccinated is necessary to ensure that you don’t succumb to the disease and develop an advanced COVID infection.

Benefits Of Getting Vaccinated With Covaxin

• Low Interval Period

Covaxin currently has one of the lowest interval periods, with only a difference of 28 days between two doses of vaccines in the world. The low interval period makes it easier for people to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible with this vaccine. Covaxin does not fall short of other vaccines when compared in terms of efficacy, so if you want to get through with your vaccination as soon as possible. It would help if you went for Covaxin for your COVID vaccination.

• Effectively Safe For Teens

In 2022, when the government informed about the vaccination of 15-17-year-olds against COVID-19, the only vaccine allowed for vaccinating this age group was Covaxin. The drugs controller general of India also has approved Covaxin to be the only vaccine that can be administered to children over the age of 12 in emergency cases.

• No Serious Side Effects

Covaxin is one of the only COVID vaccines in India that does not have any severe side effects. The only side effects are fever, soreness around the area of vaccination, headache. These symptoms are very short-lived and go away within a day or two of vaccination. So far, as of 2022, there have been no reported cases of severe side effects in a person vaccinated using Covaxin.

Conclusion

Covaxin is the first made in India vaccine used to vaccinate many people around the country. The benefits mentioned in this article are why you should feel safe about being vaccinated with Covaxin. If you are currently in the 15-17 year age group awaiting your Covaxin vaccination, you can visit Medipulse hospital, the best tertiary care hospital in Jodhpur Rajasthan, for more information about Covaxin.

What is the Covovax COVID-19 vaccine & why you should know about it

Covovax is the locally produced variant of Novavax in India, developed by Serum Institute India, which also developed the Covishield vaccine. The Novovax vaccine from which the Covovax vaccine was created was made by a company of the same name. Novavax is an American-based company that works on making vaccines for serious infectious diseases.

The Covovax vaccine has been WHO-approved for emergency use. The Drugs General Controller of India (DGCI) has also approved the emergency use of Covovax in late 2021. The Covovax vaccine currently, as per the clinical trials, has an overall efficacy rate of 89% as per the phase 3 clinical trials. It has been proven that, much like Covishield, the protection of Covovax does not vary according to the variant of the COVID-19 virus.

With an efficacy rate close to and even over 90%, according to some studies, the Covovax vaccine has a considerable advantage over the other vaccines that are currently being used to vaccinate the masses in India. Now that you know what the vaccine is, let’s take a closer look at Covovax and why it is a crucial breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19.

How Is The Covovax Vaccine Developed?

The Covovax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine that was created using the genetic sequence of the original/first strain of the SARS CoV 2 virus that started the COVID-19 pandemic. The Novavax recombinant nanoparticle technology was used to generate an antigen from the ‘S’ protein of the SARS CoV 2 virus. This vaccine is relatively safe, and it contains a protein antigen that can not replicate or cause COVID-19. It only triggers an immune response in your body against the virus to improve your immunity against COVID-19.

What You Should Know About The Covovax Vaccine

• Interval Period

The Covovax vaccine has an interval period of only 21 days between the two doses of the vaccine, making it one of the shortest interval periods of COVID-19 vaccines. However, you should know that the vaccine is currently only allowed for vaccinating 18 years and older population in the countries that have approved Covovax.

• Efficacy

The Covovax vaccine has shown an efficacy rate of 89% against COVID-19. The vaccine has also been reported to be equally effective against the other variants of COVID. The 89% efficacy rate was confirmed by a major study in the UK. In other studies, the vaccine has shown even higher efficacy, with data ranging over 90% of efficacy against COVID-19. The high efficacy rate matched with the low interval period makes it one of the best vaccines for you to go for to protect yourself against COVID-19.

• Side Effects

The Covovax vaccine does not have any severe side effects from the vaccination. The common side effects include tenderness and pain around the vaccination area, fatigue, and headache. These side effects are also short-lived and go away in less than 48 hours of the vaccination. The low side effects and lack of severe side effects make it an ideal vaccine for vaccinating all demographics of the population.

• Cost & Storage

The vaccine is supposed to be launched at a tentative cost of around Rs. 1100 per dose. The official data regarding the price of Covovax has not been revealed yet. It is expected that the official cost of the vaccine will be revealed on its official launch. The storage of this vaccine has to be done in containers with a temperature of around 2-8o Celsius.

Final Thoughts

The Covovax COVID vaccine shows excellent promise for Indians with its short interval period and high efficacy against COVID. The Covovax vaccine is currently only approved for emergency use by the DCGI and WHO. So, if you or your loved ones are suffering from COVID or want to learn more about the Covovax vaccine, you can visit Medipulse hospital, the best tertiary care hospital in Jodhpur, for more information about the Covovax and other COVID treatment procedures.

Everything you should know about COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women

On January 16, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination drive in India started with the frontline workers and citizens above 60. Almost a year later, from January 3, 2022, the vaccination drive was extended to include all citizens above 15 years of age. In the 1st year of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, 1.58 billion doses of the COVID vaccine were administered in India, with over 64% of the vaccine-eligible population of India being fully vaccinated against the disease.

One of the key demographic group among the eligible population were pregnant women. Vaccinations for pregnant women were in a grey area for quite some time. For the first six months of the vaccination drive in India, there was no approval for the vaccination of pregnant women in India. Even though the vaccine was theoretically not supposed to cause any harm to women or the fetus, the lack of safety data of the COVID-19 virus was causing a lot of concern among the top medical body of India against vaccinating this demographic. 

The situation has changed since then, but there are still some things that you need to learn about the vaccines before you go for them if you are pregnant. So, let’s know about the facts of COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women in India.

Facts About COVID-19 Vaccination Of Pregnant Women

The reason the COVID vaccine was initially denied to pregnant women was that there was no conclusive data that proved the safety of the vaccine for it to be administered to pregnant women. You should know that medical products, medicines, even dietary products are meticulously tested and approved by various bodies before they are recommended or allowed for the consumption of pregnant women, so, given that the vaccine had no safety data available at that time, it was initially not approved for administering to pregnant women.

However, pregnant women were and are at a greater risk of developing more complicated cases of COVID-19 than women that are not pregnant. This added risk of developing severe cases of COVID is what changed the attention of the health advisory body into allowing pregnant women to get COVID vaccinations. 

This was done because no matter the risks of the vaccine, the COVID-19 infection on a pregnant woman could lead to serious health problems that could prove to be fatal for the mother and the child. In such a scenario, the benefits of the vaccine, which could reduce the possibility of pregnant women developing an advanced COVID infection, outweighed any risk that might be posed by administering the vaccine.

The decision to allow the vaccination of pregnant women was also decided upon by using previous mRNA vaccines as an example, and given that those vaccines were safe for pregnant women, it was concluded that the COVID vaccines could be safe for this demographic as well.

Currently, the government advisory allows pregnant women to receive the COVID vaccine at any point during their pregnancy after being informed and made aware of the risks and benefits that come with taking the vaccine. It is not made mandatory for pregnant women to take the vaccine. However, it is recommended that women, after understanding the benefits of getting the vaccine to, opt for getting the vaccine to reduce the possibility of getting seriously infected by COVID-19.

Final Thoughts

COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women is a choice. If you are currently pregnant and trying to decide on whether you should take the vaccine or wait. You should consult your doctor and take their advice before making a decision. If you are located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, you can visit Medipulse hospital for a complete guide on the benefits and risks involved with taking the COVID vaccine during your pregnancy. 

Proper medical guidance can help you make an informed choice about whether you should or should not get the vaccine. For members of the society that are not pregnant, it is necessary that they get vaccinated to reduce the spread of the virus and help women that choose not to take the vaccine during their pregnancy safe from COVID-19.

How safe is it for you to get the Covishield vaccine? Does it protect you against all variants of COVID-19?

Covishield is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University & AstraZeneca, which is a British-Swedish company. In India, the vaccine was developed by the Serum Institute India in partnership with the previously mentioned companies. In January 2021, when the COVID vaccination drive started in India, only two vaccines were initially approved by India’s drug regulators, Covishield and Covaxin.

To stand behind their product, the CEO of the Serum Institute India Mr. Adar Poonawala, took the first dose of the Covishield vaccine on the first day of India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive. Since then, Covishield has become popular among the masses, with people waiting for Covishield to be restocked at vaccination centres instead of getting vaccinated with the other available vaccines, potentially risking their well-being in order to choose Covishield over other vaccines.

However, there are some issues with Covishield, with reports of people losing their lives over the side effects of the vaccine in various parts of the world. As experts are suggesting that vaccines might become less effective given the new mutations/variants of COVID that are presenting themselves regularly, how safe are you from COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated using Covishield? Let’s learn more about the efficacy of Covishield against the various variants of COVID-19.

How Effective Is Covishield Against The Various Variants Of COVID-19?

Even though vaccines are used to make people immune to any disease, the COVID-19 vaccines, none of them are currently able to provide 100% immunity against the virus. One of the main reasons for that is the virus is ever-evolving, and because of that, the vaccine’s efficacy drops when the virus mutates and becomes more resilient and transmissible.

One of the best parts about Covishield is that the efficacy of this vaccine does not vary in terms of its effectiveness against the different variants of COVID-19. As of now, the reported data suggests that Covishield is 63% effective against COVID-19 for the SARS CoV 2 and delta variant of the virus. The efficacy data against the Omicron variant of the virus have not been released yet because it is quite new as of yet, and trials and test results have not been released yet.

According to the WHO, any COVID vaccine with an efficacy rate above 50% can be used to control and limit the spread of the pandemic and eventually end the pandemic overall. The efficacy rate mentioned above for Covishield is only for its ability to make the masses immune to the virus. This means that after getting fully vaccinated with Covishield, you become 63% immune to COVID-19. However, as COVID vaccines are not currently able to provide 100% immunity against the virus, it works by improving your body’s ability to cope with COVID infections and reducing the possibility of you developing advanced COVID infections.

Covishield has an efficacy rate of 85% in reducing the possibility of you developing severe or advanced cases of COVID-19. Currently, the goal of vaccination is to improve the mortality rate of COVID-19 and Covishield works great mainly because the protection of Covishield does not vary according to the different variants of COVID, as per current reports in 2022.

Final Thoughts

According to reports, 88% of all COVID vaccines administered in India have been Covishield. The outpouring of support for this vaccine shows how much it has been able to make the masses feel safer about vaccination. Regardless of its side effects, Covishield remains the most popular COVID vaccine in India. With the booster dose announced in January 2022, there is no surprise that this vaccine will continue to be popular among Indians.

If you are looking for the best COVID vaccination service in Jodhpur Rajasthan, please be sure to visit Medipulse hospital. For more information about their vaccination program, visit the hospital website.

What you need to know about Corbevax the new patent free COVID vaccine

Corbevax was developed by the Texas Children’s Hospital’s Centre for vaccination research and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, of USA. In India, this vaccine has been licensed to Biological E Limited for development and production. But what is a patent-free vaccine?

A patent-free vaccine means that the production and development of this vaccine does not require manufacturers to pay a hefty patent fee to the original developers, which in turn keeps the cost of the vaccine down, making it more affordable for people in all sections of society.

On average, currently, two doses of Corbevax can cost around $5, which translates to around 400 Rupees. If you were to buy and get any other vaccine available in India, it would cost you over Rs 1,000 even for a single dose in some cases. So, the low manufacturing and selling cost of Corbevax can be helpful in reducing the vaccination availability gap between the rich and poor sections of society.

Corbevax has many more great features and benefits that makes it a great vaccine in the world’s fight against COVID-19, so let’s take a detailed look at Corbevax and why it might be the key to ending the pandemic in the future.

How Does The Corbevax Vaccine Work?

The Corbevax vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine that uses a spike protein from the SARS CoV 2 virus, which can not harm you in any way. It is used to trigger an immune response in your body that will help you protect yourself against the virus. Corbevax is very safe, and like other vaccines, it also requires two doses to complete the vaccination process.

Why Is Corbevax Important?

Corbevax was developed by scientists that had previously created a vaccine for the SARS virus. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck with the SARS CoV 2 virus, these scientists were able to easily alter their vaccine to make it into a COVID-19 vaccine without much funding. They intentionally chose to use the protein subunit method to create the vaccine because it is easy to manufacture this vaccine, and it is easy to scale up the production of this vaccine as well at a low cost.

This is why Corbevax is important. It uses technology that supports easy scaling up to make sure that the vaccine can be produced easily and in large numbers to meet the needs of the huge population around the world. The patent-free vaccine also makes the cost of production and selling this vaccine quite low in comparison to other vaccines available in the market.

Did you know that the overall cost of production or the budget for the production of the major vaccines available in the market today, such as Covishield, crossed billions of dollars of development that were offered by governments and huge private companies around the world. Corbevax was developed on a budget of 7 million dollars, most of which came from private benefactors, the largest being a 1 million dollar donation grant from Tito’s Vodka. To make a fully functioning vaccine that has an efficacy rate of over 90% in protection against COVID-19, it sure is a gamechanger in the world of COVID-19 vaccines and in our fight against COVID.

Final Thoughts

Currently, Corbevax has been cleared for emergency use in India by the DGCI. It is also cleared for emergency use by the WHO. Vaccines such as Corbevax, when cleared for public vaccination in India, can be a real gamechanger in providing quality vaccination at very affordable prices to a major section of society. So, if you want to learn more about Corbevax its current status of approval from the government, be sure to visit, Medipulse hospital or go to their official website for more information on their COVID vaccination program.

How can 60+ year population in India register for the COVID booster dose vaccine?

The COVID Booster Dose was announced on December 27, 2021. With the rising number of COVID cases and the fear of the impending third wave of COVID, the government announced the start of booster dose vaccination in India. The booster dose of the COVID vaccine has already been introduced in many foreign countries where mostly anyone above the age of 15-16 is eligible for the booster dose vaccine.

Given the threat of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, and the rising cases of COVID in India, the government has started the COVID booster dose vaccinations in India. The booster dose is a precautionary dose of the vaccine that helps you improve your body’s ability to fight the virus. The booster dose is expected to reduce the possibility of patients developing a serious/advanced COVID infection that could be fatal.

Currently, in India, any person above the age of 60 is eligible for getting the COVID booster dose. Healthcare and frontline workers are also eligible for getting the booster vaccine. But, how do you register to get the jab? Here’s all that you need to know regarding the registration process for getting the COVID booster dose.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Getting The COVID Booster Dose Vaccine?

Before you can register for the COVID booster dose, the government has some eligibility criteria in place that you need to fulfil. Here is a full list of the eligibility requirements you need to clear before registering for the COVID booster dose.

• The individual must be registered healthcare, social, or frontline worker. OR

• The individual must be a citizen of India over the age of 60. Preference is given to people over the age of 60 who suffer from any comorbidity.

• The individual must be fully vaccinated before registering for the booster dose.

• The individual must have completed their full vaccination at least 9 months before the date of COVID booster dose vaccination.

• The individual must sign up and get the same vaccine for the booster dose that they got for their first two vaccine doses.

How To Register/Sign Up For The COVID Booster Dose Vaccine?

There are two ways you can go for the COVID booster dose vaccine once you are eligible. The first way is to register on the CoWin platform to get your booster dose vaccine on a scheduled date and time. The platform will assign the closest vaccination centre to your location where you can get the vaccine and skip the queue and crowd that is generally present at vaccination centres. You will only need to carry your mobile phone with your Aadhar registered mobile number on it, and a government ID proof to get your COVID booster dose vaccination.

The second method for you would be to visit the nearest vaccination centres and go for a walk-in vaccination. All vaccination centres do not accept walk-in applicants, so you must learn beforehand if your home centre allows walk-in vaccination or not. In case you go for a walk-in vaccination program, you will need to carry your previous vaccination slip along with a government ID proof, and your Aadhar linked mobile number inserted in your mobile phone.

These are two available options currently for registering to get the COVID booster dose vaccine.

Conclusion

The COVID booster dose is crucial for you to keep you safe from the virus. With new variants of COVID coming to view regularly, it is essential for you to keep updating your immune system against the ever-changing threat to keep yourself and the people around you safe. The COVID booster dose will soon be available for the other age groups as well, so if you are located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, you can visit MediPulse hospital to get your COVID booster dose vaccination. For more information about the immunisation program, visit the hospital website.

What is the COVID booster dose vaccine & who is eligible for the booster dose?

The COVID-19 vaccines have effectively reduced the severity of the infection in patients suffering from COVID-19. However, the vaccines have not made the masses immune to the disease. The booster dose of the vaccine is currently being introduced to improve the human body’s protection against the disease. Instead of calling it a booster dose, you can call it a third dose of the COVID vaccine. The booster dose does not make you immune to COVID; it reduces the possibility of you developing a severe/advanced case of COVID-19 that could prove to be fatal.

With the number of new COVID cases per day rising again, it is safe to say that the third wave of COVID is unofficially here, led by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. It is expected that this variant will be more transmissible than the previous variants and pose an even greater risk towards children than other variants. So far, the symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID have remained very hard to detect because they closely resemble the common cold symptoms.

Given that COVID is still a major health issue and the lakhs of fresh COVID cases that are being reported all around the country every day, it is crucial for you to be updated about vaccination as it is currently the only way for you to prevent and protect yourself from the disease. Here is what’s presently known about the COVID booster dose and the part of the population that is eligible for it.

What Is The COVID Booster Dose Vaccine?

The COVID Booster Dose vaccine can be called the third dose of the COVID vaccine. It does the same job of reducing the possibility of developing a severe COVID infection. In India, it is being called a preventive dose of the vaccine. According to the government updates, the booster dose is currently only available for healthcare and frontline workers and populations above the age of 60. However, preference is given to the part above the age of 60 and suffers from some form of comorbidity.

Who Is Eligible For The Booster Dose?

The conditions laid out by the government for eligibility of the booster dose of vaccines as of January 2022 is that:

• The individual must be a registered healthcare or frontline worker or a citizen of India above 60.

• The individual must be fully vaccinated for being eligible for the booster dose.

• The individual must have completed their full vaccination at least nine months before the date of booster dose administration.

• The individual must get the same vaccine they got for their previous vaccinations on their booster dose. People vaccinated with Covishield must get the booster dose of Covishield, and those vaccinated with Covaxin must get the booster dose of Covaxin.

These are the current guidelines on COVID booster dose vaccination as informed by the government. Every eligible citizen must act promptly and register on the CoWin platform for getting their booster dose vaccination. Registering on the CoWin platform can help you cut the cue and avoid the crowd at a vaccination center.

Final Thoughts

The COVID booster dose has seen positive effects in various countries, improving people’s immunity to the virus. However, it would help if you remembered that the booster dose of the COVID vaccine is in no way going to guarantee that you will not be or never be infected from COVID-19. Even after getting the booster dose, it is crucial that people maintain COVID-appropriate behavior, wear a mask whenever outside, and maintain excellent levels of personal hygiene. 

In Jodhpur, Rajasthan, you can visit Medipulse hospital for the best COVID booster dose vaccination services. For more information about the vaccination program at the hospital, please feel free to visit the official hospital website.

What are the Tell-Tale symptoms of the omicron variant of COVID-19?

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 was first detected in South Africa in late November 2021. Since then, it has spread to many parts of the world, and it is currently the leading cause for the third wave of COVID-19 in many countries, especially India. With the COVID cases rising well over the one lakh per day range, it is safe to say that, even though over 64% of the eligible population of India is fully vaccinated against COVID, Omicron and COVID, in general, are still major health concerns for a few reasons.

The Omicron variant, as reported by WHO, has gone through many mutations, some of which are concerning. It currently has a very high reinfection rate, and it is reported to be more infectious and has more harmful effects on kids. The increased transmissibility of this variant does not mean it can bypass the effects of the vaccine, so it is a must for you to get vaccinated to keep yourself and your family safe from COVID. But, how can you identify/recognize if you are infected by the Omicron variant? What are the tell-tale symptoms of the Omicron variant? Let’s answer that question in this article.

What Are The Symptoms Of The Omicron Variant Of COVID-19?

Since its inception in 2019, the symptoms of COVID have changed, and the list has grown longer with the introduction of new variants. It is the same for the Omicron variant as well. Let’s take a look at some of the main symptoms of this COVID variant and some of the serious symptoms that require immediate medical assistance.

• Common Symptoms

The common symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are:

• Persistent Headache

• Sore Throat

• Cough

• Runny Nose

It is reported by experts that a mild case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 can and will feel like a case of the common cold. However, if you keep showing these symptoms for a few days straight, or if you develop other symptoms on top of the ones mentioned above, you should get a COVID-19 test.

It should be noted that the common symptoms of the Omicron variant do not immediately mean you are suffering from COVID. It is only when the symptoms persist for more than three days with no signs of improvement, you should get tested. Let’s look at some of the secondary and serious symptoms of this COVID variant.

• Secondary Symptoms

The secondary symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are:

• Fever

• Fatigue/Weakness

• Muscle Aches

• Itchy Throat

• Loss of taste and or smell

These symptoms, if developed by themselves, need to be monitored for a few days to ensure that the symptoms are improving and not deteriorating. If the symptoms do improve within 3-4 days, there is no need to worry. If these symptoms do not improve within 3-4 days, you need to get a COVID test.

If these symptoms after you start showing the common symptoms, then you should go for a COVID test, given both of these symptoms simultaneously are persistent and not improving over the course of a few days. These secondary symptoms should be taken seriously, and the health of the patient should be closely monitored to ensure a quick recovery.

• Serious Symptoms

The serious symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty breathing

• Loss of speech or mobility

If they persist for more than a day, these symptoms should be taken seriously, and the patient should be taken for immediate medical assistance. It should be noted that these COVID symptoms can be serious and have fatal consequences if not taken seriously. Even if the patient is not suffering from COVID, these symptoms should not be ignored, and proper medical care should be taken.

Conclusion

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is affecting lakhs of people in India every day because its symptoms are harder to detect. The common symptoms and infection of the Omicron variant feels like catching a cold which is why people are ignoring the symptoms and spreading the virus even more. Please educate yourself on the symptoms of the Omicron variant. If you or your loved ones are suffering from or are concerned about any of the symptoms of the virus, please feel free to contact Medipulse hospital for the best COVID-19 medical care in Jodhpur Rajasthan.

Common types, risks, & recovery of heart surgery

Heart surgery, otherwise called cardiac surgery, alludes to any surgery performed on the heart or veins that move your blood to and from the heart. Heart surgery is performed under various conditions, all of which can be life-threatening, including strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots. Heart surgery is also proposed for people at high risk for heart diseases. 

Heart surgery is often needed to address plaque buildup in the heart valves, which can cause faulty, totally, or partially blocked blood flow in the coronary artery. Heart surgery can be performed traditionally and with modern-day minimal intrusive strategies where robots are utilized to perform the surgery. Let's look at the different types of Heart surgeries commonly performed, their risks, and recovery factors.

Commonly Performed Heart Surgeries

• Bypass Surgery

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), also known as bypass surgery, is a major lifesaving surgical procedure performed on a patient's heart. The surgery is needed when the blood supply to the heart is cut off, and the coronary artery is further blocked. In this surgery, a healthy artery from another part of the body is extracted, and it is used for the blood flow in a new route to the heart by bypassing the section that is blocked in the artery of the heart. Sometimes, during a CABG, multiple blockages may be needed to be rerouted in one single surgery.

• Implantation of Pacemaker

The pacemaker is an electronic medical device installed inside the body under your abdomen or below the skin of your chest. The wires of the pacemaker are attached to the heart, which helps the heart to maintain a steady rhythm. Implantation of a pacemaker is required on patients who suffer from serious cases of arrhythmia. Since it can not be treated with medicine, a medical device needs to be planted in the patient's body to keep their heart functioning normally. The pacemaker uses electric signals, which helps the heartbeat at an equal pace and protects the patient from strokes or heart attacks.

The Risk of Heart Surgery

Some major risks you might face if you're opting a heart surgery are as follows:

• Reactions to anesthesia

• Bleeding

• Damage to tissues of the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs

• Infection

• Stroke

• Even sometimes Death, for someone who is very sick before and while performing the surgery

For some people who have conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease, or kidney or lung disease, the risks of heart surgery become higher. To alleviate these risks, doctors prescribe lifestyle changes and dietary changes to patients when the surgery is to be done non-emergency. For emergency surgeries, patients with the conditions mentioned above are at a higher risk of surgery failure.

Recovery from a Heart Surgery

Recovery time relies upon the sort of medical procedure you go through; however, for most kinds of heart surgery, you will probably go through a day or more in the hospital's intensive care unit. After that, you will be moved to normal care of the hospital for several days until you are dispersed for home. For major procedures such as bypass surgery, the recovery timeline can stretch up to 12 weeks. You can expect a shorter recovery timeline of around 3-4 weeks for minimally invasive procedures.

Conclusion

You must take care of your heart and maintain its health for long and healthy life. With the increasing prevalence of heart diseases in India, the number of people suffering from these problems is increasing every day. If you or your family members and loved ones are suffering from heart problems, visit Medipulse hospital for the best treatment course for all types of heart problems. As the best private hospital in Jodhpur, they are well-equipped with all the personnel and technological aids to help you get an easy heart surgery with a quick recovery time. For more information, visit the hospital website.

Things you need to know about Children's Vaccination in India

Since its invention in 1798, vaccines have saved humanity from extinction by protecting the masses from serious diseases that were rampant in earlier times. Since 1798, vaccines have come a long way, and today many diseases that were previously known as endemics and epidemics are known as preventable diseases thanks to vaccines.

Vaccines are especially required for pregnant women, babies, and infants; these people remain at a higher risk of diseases/illnesses that can be prevented by taking vaccines. Today, the government, health advisory board of India, and UNICEF all recommend a specific vaccination schedule for children that begin at birth and continue till the child is almost 15 years of age. This vaccination schedule is good for protecting your child against various serious diseases that, in the worst case, can be fatal or cause physical disabilities.

So now that you understand the need for vaccinating your child, let's take a look at the vaccination schedule that you should follow for your child to keep them safe from various diseases.

Vaccination Schedule For Children By Age

• At Birth

Vaccines administered at the birth of the child correspond to vaccines that are given as soon as possible, which is within the first 24 hours of the child's birth. Let's look at what these vaccines are and the diseases they help prevent.

BCG Vaccine

BCG Vaccines help protect children against tuberculosis. A dosage of 0.1ml is administered intra-dermally into the upper left arm of the child within the first 24 hours of the child's birth. This is the first dose or dose 1 of the BCG vaccine.

Hep B Vaccine

The Hep B Vaccine protects children against Hepatitis B. A 0.5ml dose of this vaccine is administered inside the anterolateral side of the left mid-thigh of the child. This vaccine is called the birth dose, and it needs to be administered within the first 24 hours of the child's birth.

OP Vaccine

The Oral Polio Vaccine protects the child against Polio. The dose 0 is administered orally to the child within the first 24 hours of their birth or at least within the first 15 days of the child's life. As the vaccine is administered orally, two drops of the vaccine are orally administered.

• 6-8 Weeks After Birth

Rota Virus Vaccine

The RVV protects you against the Rota Virus disease with an oral vaccine that is delivered in three doses at different times. The first dose of 5 drops needs to be delivered within the first 6-8 weeks of the child's birth.

OP Vaccine

The first dose of the Oral Polio (OP) vaccine is given to children between the age of 6-8 weeks. The dosage for the second dose is five drops, and it is given orally, as the name suggests.

Pentavalent Vaccine

The Pentavalent vaccine protects children from five diseases because this vaccine is a combination of five individual vaccines. It protects the child against Diptheria, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib, and tetanus. This vaccine is administered as an intramuscular vaccine on the anterolateral side of the left mid-thigh of the child with a dosage of 0.5 ml. The first done needs to be delivered between the first 6-8 weeks of the child's birth.

• 8-14 Weeks After Birth

OP Vaccine

The second and third doses of the Oral Polio vaccine are given to the child within the first 8-14 weeks of their birth with a dosage of 5 drops per dose.

Pentavalent Vaccine

The second and third doses of the pentavalent vaccine need to be given to the child during this time period as well at 10 weeks and 14 weeks, respectively. The dosage remains the same at 0.5 ml per dose.

Rota Virus Vaccine

The second and third dose of the RVV needs to be orally given to the child in this time range as well, with a dosage of 5 drops per dose.

IP Vaccine

The Inactivated Polio Vaccine is another form of polio vaccine that needs to be administered to the child at the age of 14 weeks. This vaccine needs to be administered intramuscularly on the anterolateral side of the right mid-thigh of the child.

• Above The Age Of 14 Weeks Till 1 Year

Measles Vaccine

The measles vaccine protects the child against measles. It needs to be delivered to the child after they have completed 9 months of age and between 12 months of age. In case, the child misses it, they can get this vaccine till 5 years of age as well. This is a subcutaneous vaccine with a dosage of 0.5 ml that needs to be administered in the right upper arm of the child.

Vitamin A Vaccine

The first dose of the vitamin A vaccine is given orally along with the measles vaccine with a dosage of 1ml.

Conclusion

Vaccinating your child/children is one of the most important things that you have to do as a parent to guarantee them a healthy and safe life growing up. If you are interested in learning, you can find more information about the immunisation schedule followed in India from this link here. If you are a new parent in Jodhpur, and you want to get guidance and help on vaccinating your child, be sure to visit Medipulse hospital for the best care and affordable vaccination services in accordance with the government schedule.

All the things you should know about the COVID vaccination program for 15 to 18 years age group

On 16 January 2021, India launched the world’s largest vaccination drive against COVID-19 to initially vaccinate more than 300 million frontline and medical workers. The drive was then extended to cover every Indian citizen above the 45 year age group. However, the vaccination was completed solely based on vaccine availability which did cause some disruptions given the huge population of India.

As India announced a nationwide lockdown from March 2020, the educational facilities of more than 320 million students in India were adversely affected. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 286 million children in India lost the opportunity of continuing their education. Children in India are currently facing a learning crisis, and as schools are reopening after almost two years, the need for vaccinating children is the highest right now.

On 25 December 2021, the government announced the first leg of children’s vaccination, starting with the vaccination of 15-18-year-old children all over the country. Let’s learn more about the vaccination program of 15-18 years old children in India.

Procedure for COVID vaccine for 15-18 years age group in India

Initially, children born before 2007 are eligible for COVID vaccinations. The registration process remains similar for children as for adults; they are required to register using the Cowin platform. People in this specified age group can register using their Aadhar card or using their student ID cards. The vaccination drive announced on 25 December 2021 was inaugurated on 3 January 2022, and so far, reports have confirmed that more than two crore children in the specified age group have been vaccinated against the disease.

What are the Vaccines available in India for vaccination of 15 to 18 years old?

• COVAXIN

Covaxin, India’s first indigenous COVID vaccine, is developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech at their BSL-3 high containment facility. Covaxin includes immune-potentiators, also known as vaccine adjuvants, added to the vaccine to increase and boost its immunogenicity. It is a 2-dose vaccine given 28 days apart. Covaxin demonstrated 77.8% vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 disease. The efficacy data indicates 63.6% protection against asymptomatic COVID-19. This ‘made in India’ vaccine has been approved by WHO and recommended for emergency use.

Based on the announcement Covaxin is the only vaccine used to vaccinate the 15-18 years age group. Other vaccines are on trial and are not currently being used to vaccinate children. Some of the vaccines that are undergoing trials are COVISHIELD and Sputnik V.

• COVISHIELD

Serum Institute of India has manufactured Covishield; this is a two-dose vaccine of 0.5ml per dose. The current government regulations the current interval between two doses of this vaccine is between 12-16 weeks after the first dose.

Based on the vaccine efficiency data provided by the manufacturer, Covishield has shown 70-90% effectiveness against the disease. Covershield is free from public facilities and is the cheapest vaccine available from a private organization. But this vaccine is currently not recommended for vaccinating those who are younger than 18 years of age.

• SPUTNIK V

The Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V is a two-dose vaccine for COVID-19. Sputnik V is one of three COVID-19 vaccines globally that have an efficiency of over 90% against the virus and became the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19. 40% of the global population, or 300 crore people, have access to this vaccine. However, this vaccine is not available in every center, so you need to check the availability at your local vaccination centers.

This vaccine is currently only recommended for 18-60-year-olds. Children are not recommended to get this vaccine as it is being clinically tested in Russia for using this vaccine to vaccinate children.

Why should children between the ages of 15-18 years get vaccinated?

For children aged between 15 to 18 years, it is necessary to get vaccinated to avoid getting seriously infected by the COVID-19 virus. It is important to note that COVID vaccines do not make you 100% immune to the disease, but it greatly reduces the effect of the infection on your body if and when you get infected.

Where can you get the COVID-19 vaccine for 15 to 18-year-olds?

If you are in Jodhpur (Rajasthan), you can visit the Medipulse Hospital for a safe and quick vaccination for any Indian citizen above the age of 15. The experienced doctors and medical staff of Medipulse hospital are highly experienced in providing quick and safe covid vaccination to everyone. For more information about COVID vaccination at Medipulse hospital, visit the official website of the hospital.

How can the omicron variant of covid-19 affect your child? Here’s what you need to know

With the start of 2022, the world is struggling with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. All across the world, governments are trying to vaccinate the masses to protect them against COVID. However, the number of cases has started to rise sharply, and the impending third wave of COVID-19 is here. Based on the research evidence, experts are now suggesting that this variant of the virus is more transmissible and possesses a greater risk for children, who are still now unvaccinated in most countries around the world.

Research is still undergoing into Omicron’s transmissibility, severity, and reinfection risk. Given the greater risk of children, now is a crucial time when parents need to know about the symptoms of the omicron variant, the preventive methods they can use, and the ways in which you can treat your child in the unfortunate instance of them being infected or showing symptoms.

What Are The Common Symptoms Vs What Are The Symptoms You Should Be Worried About?

Common Symptoms

Headaches, mild fatigue, and coughs are the most common symptoms of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Congestion along with a runny nose are also common symptoms nowadays, with a loss of appetite. Apart from the ones mentioned, brain fog is also a common symptom. It refers to a feeling of being mentally slow, fuzzy, or spaced out. Even though fever, dizziness, losing taste and smell are common symptoms, you should take them seriously if these symptoms persist.

Even mild symptoms that appear for over 5-6 days would require you to take a COVID test. These common symptoms do not require immediate medical assistance and can be treated with the parent’s care at home. There are, however, some symptoms that require serious medical assistance and COVID testing they are mentioned below.

Symptoms You Should Be Worried About

• Trouble breathing

• Constant pain or pressure on your chest

• Bluish lips or face

• Pneumonia

If your child/children are having any of these symptoms for more than 2-3 days, you need to go for a COVID-19 test and also need immediate medical care. Remember that it is also possible to have COVID-19 with minimal or even no symptoms at all, so prevention methods need to be followed at all times to keep your child safe from the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

How Can You Protect Children Against The Omicron Variant Of COVID?

To reduce the possibility of your children getting affected by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, you as a parent should follow these most needed steps:

• Make sure all the adult family members are fully vaccinated.

• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth whenever you go out of your house.

• Wash hands regularly.

• Maintain high levels of personal hygiene.

• Avoid crowded places.

• Talk about the importance of wearing a mask and washing hands regularly with your child. It should be explained to them in an age-appropriate way.

• Get your child vaccinated whenever it is available.

What You Should Do If Your Children Show Symptoms Of COVID Or Are COVID Positive?

If your child is showing any symptoms of COVID, it is necessary to treat your child as per the symptoms they are showing. If the symptoms do not reduce/go away after a few days, you need to consider getting a COVID test for your child. In the unfortunate event of the test returning positive, you have to monitor the health of your child closely and take them to a hospital only if they suffer from a very high fever that is not reducing or from breathing problems and high chest pain. It is important to know that treating children at home can help them recover faster from COVID.

Where Can You Get The Best COVID-19 Treatment?

If you are worried about the health of your child or want to get them the best medical care in case they are ever infected by COVID, you can surely visit Medipulse hospital, the best tertiary care hospital in Jodhpur. You can get the best medical care at Medipulse thanks to the experienced and dedicated doctors and medical staff that work tirelessly to keep you and your loved ones safe from COVID-19. For more information about COVID treatment at MediPulse, please visit the hospital website.