Covid 19

The world is in the midst of Covid 19 for almost a year and a half. The disease is affecting many people in various ways. People affected with Covid experience mild to moderate illness. It spreads through the discharge from the nose or droplets of saliva when a person coughs or sneezes. To prevent infection it is advised to sanitize or wash hands after every 2 hours and do not touch your face. 

Covid 19 Vaccination in India

Vaccines save millions of lives. They work by preparing the body’s natural defense that is the immune system to recognize and fight off the bacteria and viruses. After vaccination, if the body is exposed to those diseases, the body is immediately ready to fight and prevent illness.

Covaxin and Covishield are the two Covid 19 vaccinations in India.

Covaxin:

In association with the Indian Council of Medical Research and The National Institute of Virology the vaccine is developed by Bharat Biotech International Ltd based in Hyderabad. The vaccine is developed with Whole- Virion Inactivated Vero Cell derived technology. It contains an inactivated virus that helps the immune system to prepare for a defense mechanism to fight against active viruses. It can be stored at 2-8 degree Celsius.

Preliminary data from its phase 3 trial shows that the vaccine has an efficiency rate of 81%.

Covishield:

It has been developed by the Oxford AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII). The vaccine has been prepared using the viral vector platform. A Chimpanzee Adenovirus has been modified to enable it to carry Covid 19 spike protein into the cells of humans. The virus is incapable of infecting the receiver but prepares a mechanism to fight against viruses. It can be safely stored at  2-8 degree Celsius.

The vaccine has an efficiency of 70% but can be around 90% effective when administered as a half dose followed by a full dose.

Why Covid Vaccine is a must?

Evidence suggests that the body who is fully vaccinated is less likely to be infected and cannot spread the Covid. Vaccines work on your immune system to make you stronger and fight the viruses. All the Covid 19 vaccines available are clinically tested and safe. 

Getting a Covid 19 vaccine can prevent you from getting ill. It also means that you can keep you and family members safe, strong and healthy. 

Facts about Covid 19

Some research claim that you can receive the vaccine for Covid after recovering from the disease but the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests to wait for 90 days from the day you test positive. CDC also suggests that if you are infected after taking the first dose you should go for the second dose after your quarantine period is over and you are not facing any symptoms anymore. You should also take some natural precautions after the recovery from Covid 19 yet it is unclear how long immunity is going to last.

Latest Updates of Vaccine

1. More than 17 million people are vaccinated by receiving the 2 doses of vaccine.
2. In India, Sputnik V vaccine has been given emergency use authorization.
3. Bharat Biotech will increase the production of vaccines by 12 million doses per month.
4. From May 1, people above the age of 18 can register for Covid 19 vaccination.
5. All the vaccine producers shall sell 50% of their stock to the states through the free market. The remaining will go to the central government.