As India battles the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 crisis, our healthcare system is overburdened with the large influx of sick patients. The best thing you can do to stop the spread of the virus is to stay home and take precautions. Besides that, being vaccinated is also extremely important if we want to reach herd immunity. Fortunately for us, the government made COVID-19 vaccines available to everyone over the age of 18 from May 1. But while you await your turn to get the vaccine, spend some time understanding the two types currently available in India and how they work to protect you.
Presently, two different vaccines are being administered in the country—COVISHIELD and COVAXIN. Scroll ahead to learn more about the two.
COVISHIELD
Serum Institute of India
This vaccine was created by Oxford-AstraZeneca and is being manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. It is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus, called adenovirus, from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look like the coronavirus—tricking our immune system to make antibodies.
How does it work?
When the vaccine is injected into our body, it prompts our immune system to start creating antibodies, which in turn protect us by attacking the coronavirus if we get infected.
How effective is it?
As per international clinical trials, the vaccine was found to have an efficacy of 90% when people were given a half dose and then a full dose. However, there is not enough research to implement this idea yet.
Presently, two doses are being administered with a gap of 6 to 8 weeks. The efficacy is around 70%, which is enough to protect you against coronavirus.
How much will it cost me?
The Serum Institute of India has made the vaccine available at Rs 600 per dose to private hospitals, Rs 300 per dose to states and Rs 150 per dose to the centre. Several state governments, including Delhi and Maharashtra, have announced that they will provide the vaccine free of cost.
COVAXIN
Bharat Biotech
This is India’s homegrown vaccine, which was made jointly by Hyderabad-based biotechnology company Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The vaccine is made up of killed coronaviruses and is safe to be injected into the body.
How does it work?
When the vaccine is administered to a patient, immune cells recognise the dead coronavirus, and trigger an immune response. This prompts them to create antibodies, which protect us from COVID-19.
How effective is it?
According to preliminary data from its phase three trial, the vaccine is known to be 81% effective.
How much will it cost me?
COVAXIN is being sold to private hospitals at Rs 1,200 per dose, states at Rs 600 Rs per dose and the centre at Rs 150 per dose.
Which one should I choose?
According to research, both vaccines are effective in protecting you against severe cases of COVID-19. Given our current situation, getting the vaccine is our best bet at survival so experts suggest that we take whichever is available to us.
Now that you understand how the two vaccines available to us work, register yourself to get a jab as soon as possible. When you go to get the vaccine, make sure you double mask, wear a face shield, maintain social distancing, and frequently sanitise. Let’s fight this virus together!
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