Vaccine Hesitancy and Difference Between Covaxin and Covishield

The second phase of coronavirus led to an increased emphasis on the importance of vaccination due to the number of fatalities witnessed recently. We have seen an average of 3 lakh cases each day since mid-April. India is the only country worldwide to report such massive Covid-19 cases this year. Although Brazil and the US are also struggling with new cases, their numbers are pretty low in comparison to India. 

Before the vaccination drive officially started in India, various anti-vaccination remarks were spread including the denial of its need. The second wave indeed cleared the air and there is hardly any scope for vaccine hesitancy now.    

The governments are trying to acquire more vaccines apart from Covaxin and Covishield to ensure a continuous supply as India is battling with an emergency surge. At the moment, India is running short of vaccines and it leads to a delay in the vaccination rollout for the 18-45 year age group. In fact, plenty of people are struggling to find the availability of their second jab among the above 45 years age group. 

Covaxin or Covishield: Which Vaccine is Better?

It’s Oxford against Bharat Biotech. Covishield vaccine is based on the AstraZeneca patent technology, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. No major side effects were reported so far with both vaccines. 

Are they effective? The research showed that both vaccines are producing enough antibodies to neutralize the effect of the virus. It is appropriate to go ahead with the vaccination according to the data of clinical trials.

Covaxin is similar to the Chinese vaccine by Sinovac which consists of coronavirus particle with a protein shell around RNA which is inactive. Sputnik V will also be available soon. Both Covaxin and Covishield are manufacturing in India. Covaxin is India’s vaccine. Covisheld’s research is done by Oxford and Astrogeneca but it is also manufactured in India.

The production of Covishield is more than Covaxin due to its availability in UK and US. Covaxin was found to be more effective among the new variants of coronavirus in recent research.

Covishield works on a viral vector model. Chimpanzee adenovirus is modified to carry the spike protein of Covid-19. The body automatically generates antibodies due to the same. It is important not to take the second jab before 4 weeks for maximum effectiveness. 

Covishield’s effectiveness was found up to 90% in some studies. The latest data for Covaxin suggest 100% effectiveness in the context of mortality. It is not necessary that the vaccine will be effective on all mutants but it will give you an edge to fight coronavirus. 

Covaxin is effective on double mutants as per US-based studies. Common side effects include fever, pain, and nausea. Both vaccines are safe with minor complications. People who got plasma recently or Covid should wait at least a month before getting the vaccination.

Conclusion: You may not get a choice to choose your vaccine. It is important to get vaccinated to save yourself and the people around you. It is suggested to stop getting into the debate of which vaccine is better and go ahead, immune yourself from coronavirus, follow Covid appropriate behavior even after vaccination, and stay safe by getting vaccinated.