Facts and Myths about Covid-19 vaccine

Dr. Purva Joshi

As a great achievement, India has manufactured two vaccines against Covid-19, namely Covishield and Covaxin. These are regulated and licensed for use, under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).  There are certain types of other vaccines being researched and developed in other countries like Pfizer, Moderna, ZyCoV-d and others under various phases of clinical trials.

The vaccination drive has begun from January 2021; wherein frontline workers, senior citizens above 60 years of age and above, citizens in age group 45-59 years with co-morbidities and now all citizens above 45 years are being covered in a phase wise manner.

There are certain Facts and Myths associated with vaccination.

Facts:

1) Covaxin is an indigenous vaccine, manufactured by Indian researchers and pharmaceutical company Bharat Biotech and Covishield is manufactured by Serum Institute of India in Pune; which is based on the same technology used by UK based AstraZeneca company.

2) The vaccines are safe and efficacious, and help prevent the spread of infection by developing herd immunity which is achieved by vaccinating a large number of the population.

3)  The first step towards vaccination is through online registration using COWIN app. Walk-in registration is available at a few places, depending on the available facilities at the centre.

4) There are certain side effects of vaccination which are mostly localized in nature like injection site pain, swelling, redness, body ache, fatigue, which resolve within 2-7 days of vaccination

5)  Those infected in the past, can take a vaccine after 4-6 weeks of recovery.

Myths:

1) Vaccination causes infection – No, instead vaccination helps generate immunity against infection by producing antibodies.

2)  Those with comorbidities should not be vaccinated – No, instead those with co-morbidities like Diabetes, Chronic Kidney Disease, Neurological illness, Cardiovascular Disease are at higher risk and therefore a priority group for vaccination.

3) Either vaccine can be taken each time – No, the same vaccine which is taken during first dose should be taken during second dose, as vaccines are not interchangeable; and a gap of 4-6 weeks between two doses of Covaxin and 4-8 weeks between two doses of Covishield should be there.

4) Anyone can take a vaccine – Till now clinical trials have been regulated in the age group 18 years and above, those below 18 years, pregnant and lactating women, research is still ongoing, for the vaccination status.

5) Covid appropriate behaviour need not be followed after vaccination – No, it is still equally important to follow social distancing, using face mask and frequent hand sanitization. This constitutes a social vaccine.

Thus, medical vaccine and social vaccine are equally essential in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Purva Joshi is a Public Health Specialist and Drug Safety Physician at IQVIA, Thane.