Busy > Which is Better? Covaxin or Covishield?
20th Jun 2022
covaxin vs covishield
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Which is Better? Covaxin or Covishield?

As we all know, Covid-19 has altered much of our daily lifestyles and has impacted our lives majorly. The invention of covid vaccines surely did spark a belief in this never-ending catastrophe of this contagious virus. All countries did their part by working on covid-19 vaccines, and many succeeded—Covaxin by India, Covishield by the United Kingdom, Sputnik by Russia, etc.

As Covaxin and Covishield are the readily available vaccines here in India, let’s know Covaxin vs Covishield – which is better in India?

 

What is Covishield?

It’s a chimp adenovirus vector that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein and is replication-deficient. Divide it into two 0.5 ml doses. The first and second doses have no change, and the virus particles in each dosage are the same. The Indian government suggests that the period between the first and second doses be between 12 and 16 weeks. In the absence of additional research, the vaccination is not advisable for anyone under 18.

Covishield is manufactured in India by The Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd after Indian pharma authorities granted emergency authorisation for the coronavirus vaccine co-developed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford. The Vaxzevria (AZD1222) vaccine (the vaccine developed in the UK) has the same formulation as the one manufactured in India. The Serum Institute of India’s version of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination is called Covishield.

So, now, if you think about the question again, Covaxin vs Covishield — which is better in India? India is the manufacturer of both these vaccines. So, if you are someone who supports Indian products, choosing either of them will benefit the nation.

 

What is Covaxin?

Bharat Biotech produced Covaxin, India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, in conjunction with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV). The vaccine utilises platform technology derived from Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cells for its creation. Because inactivated vaccinations do not multiply, they are unlikely to revert and cause disease.

They include dead viruses that cannot infect humans but can teach the immune system to a defensive response in the face of infection. The vaccine administers in two doses with a gap of 28 days.

Now that we know what these vaccines are and how they work. So, in Covaxin vs Covishield, we will see the winner based on their efficacy rate, side effects, and various other factors. Before looking into that, let’s see the Covishield vs Covaxin difference.

 

Difference b/w Covishield & Covaxin

Both effective vaccines have major differences between them. Covaxin vs Covishield, let’s look into what makes them unique from one another.

CovaxinCovishield
Bharat Biotech International Ltd of Hyderabad developed Covaxin in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV).The Oxford-AstraZeneca firm has developed Covishield, produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII)
Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine developed on a well-proven base of dead viruses. Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology is useful in creating this vaccine. They contain inactivated viruses that cannot infect humans but can educate the immune system on how to create a defence mechanism against a live virus.Covishield creates by utilising a completely new technology called the viral vector platform. ChAdOx1 is a chimpanzee adenovirus engineered to transport the COVID-19 spike protein into human cells
The vaccine administers in two doses, 28 days apart.The vaccine divides into two 0.5 ml doses. The Indian government suggests that the period between the first and second doses be between 12 and 16 weeks
Covaxin must preserve from 2 to 8 centigrade.Covishield must store at 2-8 centigrade
Covaxin is 81 per cent effective, according to intermediate 3rd phase study data.According to global sources, the Covishield vaccine is over 90% effective
Covaxin has been given a restricted-use licence in clinical trial mode.Covishield has been given restricted-use permission in emergency scenarios to prevent coronavirus infection in persons aged 18 and up
Covaxin is free at the Government Health facilities. The government has set a price restriction of Rs 250 per dosage for private hospitals and clinics.Covishield is free at the Government Health Facilities. It costs Rs 250 in private hospitals and clinics
It is an intramuscular vaccine.It is also an intramuscular vaccine
Covaxin is suitable even for children aged 12 and up.The authorisation of Covishield is for persons aged 18 and above

That’s the major difference between them. Covaxin vs Covishield price is similar, and even the Covaxin vs Covishield efficacy percentage is almost the same, with the efficacy of Covishield being slightly higher.

 

Side Effects of Covishield

Covishield vs Covaxin, which vaccine has more side effects and how bad they are. Firstly let’s look into the sides of Covishield:

  • Tenderness or pain at the injection location is a common side effect.
  • Headache and tiredness are common side effects seen in many people who took the vaccine.
  • Aches in the muscles or joints as the mode of administration is intramuscular.
  • Some people also get fever, chills, nausea, and headaches.
  • Some people may experience swelling, pain, warmth, itching, discomfort, redness, and other common side effects after getting the Covishield vaccine.

The negative effects described above are only visible for a short time. For a period after the vaccine, you will feel normal, and you will not suffer any side effects after the second dose.

It would be beneficial not to be concerned about the vaccine’s side effects because the government has approved the vaccine industry to make it following considerable research. So it is advisable not to look into Covaxin vs Covishield side effects.

 

Side Effects of Covaxin

We should talk about both the vaccines, Covaxin vs Covishield side effects, to decide which one you feel could be better.

  • You may experience migraines
  • Swelling at the vaccination site
  • At times, joint discomfort and brittleness
  • You may fall sick

Although these symptoms are not life-threatening, you will need to take medicine to help you cope. After the second dose of the vaccine, these side effects will be gone. Because the Covaxin vaccine’s side effects are modest and do not impact everyone’s body, you may feel okay after the first and second doses. Now you can analyse Covishield vs Covaxin side effects and go for which you think is better.

 

Is the Covishield COVID-19 Vaccine Effective Against Omicron?

Viruses keep mutating. And covid-19 is caused by a virus known as the coronavirus. One of the new latest mutations of the virus is Omicron. So a question might arise about Covaxin vs Covishield, which is more effective against Omicron. First of all, how effective is Covishield against Omicron?

Compared to recovered patients and breakthrough cases who take two doses, individuals took Covishield. They had no history of COVID-19 and had the lowest rate of neutralising activity against the Omicron BA.1 subtype, according to reports citing the ICMR-NIV study.

According to a survey of findings from 581 Omicron patients, a third top-up dosage increases immunity against the novel type. According to preliminary results, the Covaxin vs Covishield efficiency against the new variation appears to rise significantly in the early time following a booster dosage, offering roughly 70-75% protection against symptomatic infection.

 

Is the Covaxin COVID-19 Vaccine Effective Against Omicron?

Similarly, Covaxin recipients have little protection against the mutant Omicron form in a study. According to the survey, those with hybrid immunity, both infection and vaccine-induced protection showed the highest neutralising activity against the novel variations.

It’s worth noting that vaccinations continue to protect against severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalisation. Comparing Covaxin vs Covishield for protection, both equally safeguard you against the severity of the virus.

 

Why Should Everyone Get Vaccinated?

One should take up any covid-19 vaccine from Covaxin vs Covishield. The benefits of taking a vaccine:

  • The vaccination lowers your infection risk. Your body starts developing antibodies to the coronavirus after the first injection. These antibodies aid your immune system in fighting the virus if you are exposed, lowering your risk of contracting the illness.
  • Your unborn child or infant may benefit from the vaccination. According to research, pregnant women who take the COVID-19 vaccination develop antibodies to the virus, passing it on to their unborn child through the placenta.
  • Vaccination will protect you against the severity of the disease.

 

FAQs

What is the composition of the Covishield and Covaxin vaccines?

Covishield has inactivated adenovirus containing Coronavirus segments, Aluminum Hydroxide Gel, L-Histidine, and other ingredients. Covaxin includes inactivated Coronavirus, Aluminum Hydroxide Gel, TLR 7/8 Agonist, 2-Phenoxyethanol, and Phosphate Buffered Saline [NKA1].

Is the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine effective against Omicron?

According to preliminary findings, the third booster dose offers roughly 70-75% protection against symptomatic infection.

Can I choose the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, you should. Everyone should get the covid-19 vaccine, and it lowers your infection risk and reduces the severity of the virus.

Is AstraZeneca vaccine effective against the COVID-19 variant Omicron?

According to findings from recent laboratory research, AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S [Recombinant]) significantly increased antibody levels against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529) after a third dosage booster.