Government-run hospitals offer several vaccination services made mandatory by the Indian Government at subsidized rates. Here are the top five vaccines that are an absolute must for every child and adult:
The BCG or the Bacillus Calmette Guerin Vaccine
The BCG vaccine is a must and has been a medical mandate for over eight decades. It is also one of the most widely used in current vaccines. This vaccine is given to counter tuberculosis which is a very harmful disease for infants and adults alike. This vaccine is applied to the outer skin in the arm of babies. However, one must note that post this injection, preventive measures for TB should be taken as it is a temporary vaccine and its effects do not last beyond 15 or 20 years.
Possible side effects of BCG vaccine:
The DPT Vaccine
The DPT Vaccine is also known as the Triple antigen. This vaccine provides protection and immunity against three deadly diseases – a Pertussis or a Whooping cough, Diphtheria and Tetanus. It is applied as an intramuscular vaccine to the babies at ages 1.5 months, 2.5 months and at 3.5 months. When a child grows up to be 1.5 years of age, they are administered with a second dose of DPT vaccine. At the age of five, they are given a double dose of DT vaccine which is a protection against germs to keep diphtheria at bay as well as tetanus. At the age of 10, the tetanus vaccine is given again.
The DTP is not licensed for adolescent children, adults or even children who are seven years old or older. And because older kids and adults need protection against these three diseases, a vaccine by the name of Tdap is administered. It can be given from the age of 11 to 64 years of age. Another vaccine is the TD vaccine, but it does not offer protection against Pertussis. It is recommended every ten years.
Possible side effects of DTP vaccine:
Now in India DPT vaccine is replaced by Pentavac vaccine which contains DPT+ Hemophilus influenza+Hepatitis B vaccines together in a single injection which is given at 1.5,2.5 and 3.5 months.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The OPV or Oral Polio Vaccine
This is perhaps the most critical vaccine as in India; we see doctors and caregivers organize camps under government initiatives – Pulse Polio Immunization Program, and even go to each house to administer the OPV. It is a must for newborn babies to receive the OPV.
Possible side effects of OPV vaccine:
The Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B severely affects the liver, and therefore, the Hepatitis B vaccine and the Hepatitis B Immune Globulin vaccines are administered to babies at birth – this happens if the mother of the child is a carrier of the HBeAg or the HBsAg virus. But if the mother tests negative for these viruses, then the vaccines are given to the children at the completion of 6, 10, 14 and 24 weeks post-birth.
This vaccine is one of the safest vaccines and very useful among the top five vaccines made mandatory in India.
Possible side effects of Hepatitis B vaccine:
Vaccination in children is very important as they protect against serious and often deadly diseases. They stimulate the body’s natural defenses and prepare the body to fight the disease faster and more effectively when it encounters the pathogen for the disease the child is vaccinated against.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
The MMR or the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine
As the name suggests, this vaccine provides protections against Mumps, Measles and German Measles Aka Rubella. In our country, the Monovalent measles vaccine is given post nine months. A second dose of the MMR vaccine is given at 12 to 15 months of age.
Possible side effects of Hepatitis B vaccine:
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Amidst alarming news of COVID-19 cases increasing in India due to the Omicron variant, there is a ray of hope in the New Year with the government rollout of vaccines for children, frontline workers and senior citizens. The new vaccination drive which is to begin from 3rd January 2022 for teens aged 15-18 years signifies that every cloud has a silver lining.
To know more about the current scenario, what the government is planning and what you should do to stay safe read the article below.
Addressing the country on 25th December 2021, the honourable PM announced that The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the emergency use of the indigenously developed Covaxin for immunising young adults. Aside from Covaxin, ZyCoV-D developed by Zydus Cadila has also been authorised for emergency usage. However, the vaccination drive as of now will only cover children in the 15-18 years age bracket and Covaxin will be administered to them. Designed as a precautionary measure to protect the future of the Nation from the impending harm of the new variant, guardians as well responsible youths are urged to get their children and themselves registered respectively on the Co-WIN Portal.
As of now, the authorised COVID-19 vaccine for under 18 in India is slated to be only for Covaxin.
Frontline workers i.e., employees who have to be physically present at their jobs such as doctors, fire-fighters, policemen and other kinds of industry professionals were the first to get their jab last year when the vaccination drive started followed by senior citizens (with co-morbidities). To make sure that everyone is safe in the face of the omicron virus surge, the Government has announced and emphasised that these two groups will be once eligible for a booster vaccine dose called a precaution dose from January 10th 2022. To get the jab, registrations are required to be made on the portal once again. For safety concerns, senior citizens are advised to go ahead with the booster dose upon confirmation from their respective healthcare providers.
As of reports released on 3rd January 2022, the Union Health Ministry announced that the Omicron variant cases were 1,700 in the country with an infection radius of 23 states and union territories. Delhi itself recorded 84% of new infections in the last few days. Currently, Delhi is functioning with a ‘yellow alert’ category of restriction under which educational institutions, gyms, theatres and shops involved in the trade of non-essential items are meant to stay shut until further notice.
However, as per studies conducted by doctors, the Omicron variant is said to only bring about mild infections with little requirement for oxygen concentrators and hospitalization, unlike the Delta variant.
The trend shows that those without vaccination are likely to suffer a more painful infection as opposed to those being doubled vaccinated.
Another trend being noticed is that in most cases of the infection, the individual is asymptomatic, meaning that he/she wouldn’t know that they are infected and will unknowingly spread the viral infection when in close contact with others. Keeping this fact in mind, civilians are being asked to be cautious and follow all COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. This includes limiting going out in public spaces and spending the rest of the winter season in a low key manner. As per news reports, the festive season during December was one of the main drivers behind the surge in Europe and also why COVID-19 cases are increasing in India and so now there is a necessity to salvage the situation before it goes totally out of hand.
Although the Omicron variant is spreading quite fast, the good news is that India will see a surge by the end of January which means that the lifespan of this infection is going to be short-lived. In the meanwhile, it is advised that you get your children and elderly family members vaccinated and follow COVID-19 mandates at all times. Follow all safety precautions in order to save yourselves and others from the risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection.
Disclaimer:
The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Citizens above the age of 18 are now eligible for the COVID vaccine in India at any private COVID vaccination centre (CVC) from 1st May. To get their shot they need to register on the CoWIN portal.
Book an appointment through the CoWin portal: https://www.CoWin.gov.in/home. You will avail the vaccine at CVCs via an online appointment from CoWIN. Alternatively, you can use Arogya Setu or UMANG. Please use the desktop site to register yourself. On-site registration/appointments will be considered only in special cases. Around 600 million new registrants are likely to register for vaccine appointments in the middle of a sharp upsurge in coronavirus cases.
It is very common to experience symptoms post-vaccination. Many people may feel one or more side effects after the COVID-19 vaccination which includes-a slight fever, headache, nausea or fatigue. According to the experts, these anticipated reactions show that your immune system is learning how to fight the coronavirus.
Schedule your appointment such that there is adequate time for rest afterwards. No preparation is needed for getting the COVID jab. As there are potential side effects, you may keep your schedule flexible to rest properly.
Vaccines boost immunity without infecting the body. You may be worried that taking the COVID-19 vaccines can make you sick with COVID- 19. Nevertheless, these vaccines do not contain live viruses. So, they are safe for you. The immune system instructs the body to react in certain ways. Different kinds of vaccines work in different ways to provide a defence mechanism.
It typically takes about two weeks post-vaccination for the body to produce T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will recall how to fight coronavirus in the future. The process of building immunity can cause normal symptoms, like having a fever. The vaccine stimulates blood flow which circulates immune cells. It increases the blood flow so more immune cells can circulate, and it raises your body temperature to kill the coronavirus.
Since so much has been said about side effects post-vaccination, if one does not show any side effects, they may doubt whether the vaccine is working. Whether you have any side effects or not, you get more than 92 per cent protection from the jabs. A combination of factors like age, gender well-being, diet and the environment can be the reason why one would get such reactions to shots or not.
Although side effects are more, still the benefits of taking the vaccine outweigh the risk. The serious side effects like blood clots in heart and brain are 1 in million and still not established side effects.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Some of the common side effects seen in any vaccination:
Remember, these are just body reactions to produce an immune response after vaccination. The reaction to the second dose will be stronger than the first, as your immune system is sent on an overdrive. Doctors believe that post-vaccination symptoms may last for a day or two. They can be resolved easily with a paracetamol tablet taken if needed. Avoid painkillers such as diclofenac.
In case of shortness of breath or giddiness, visit the nearest emergency hospital. Avoid taking any painkillers prior to the COVID-19 vaccination. It may hinder your body’s normal immune response to the vaccine.
Older, frail and immunocompromised individuals are in more need to receive a complete vaccination for covid with booster to prevent complications, hospitalizations and chances of mortality since they are more susceptible for complications and covid severity.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
Make sure to stay seated at the clinic/hospital waiting room for 20 minutes post-administration to observe any immediate reactions. The hospital personnel will monitor you for at least 15-30 minutes after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Suppose you develop any side effects that do not resolve or are bothersome; you can immediately contact the healthcare team.
Once you receive your first dose, the government issues a vaccine certificate that provides details about your age, gender and vaccine details, such as the name of the vaccine and the date of administration. It would be best if you got the second dose of the same vaccine to get maximum benefits. So ensure to collect your vaccination certificate.
Side effects are linked to age. The elderly may show lesser side effects than the younger persons, who may have a faster and stronger immune response to the vaccine. Every individual’s immune system is peculiar. Some may have more symptoms post-vaccine; others none at all. The guaranteed long-term side effect is immunity.
The likelihood of personal protection from the vaccine is remarkable. Getting vaccinated may help save you from contracting the severe form of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, chiefly those having a bigger risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
COVID-19 vaccines defend against the SARS-CoV-2 virus only, so it is imperative to maintain your health and well-being. Vaccination does not make one invincible.
· Maintain at least six feet distance from other people and avoid get-togethers in large groups, mostly indoors.
· Put on a double layer of the mask when you step out of your house.
· You should scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food or caring for the sick, using the toilet and going out. Alternatively, use a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.
· Do not touch your face with filthy hands.
· Use a tissue or the inner side of your elbow when you sneeze or cough to cover them. Do not spit. Throw used tissues in the dustbin.
· Disinfect commonly touched surfaces every day.
· Be watchful for symptoms like high fever, dry cough, shortness of breath or other COVID-19 symptoms.
· Monitor your body temperature if symptoms progress.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
In a bid to finally get rid of the menace of COVID-19 disease, central and state governments in India are all geared up to begin the cross-nation vaccination drive, probably the most pervasive one in the history of Indian healthcare.
The vaccination drive began on January 13, 2021. People in India are still puzzled about the procedure they have to follow to get the much-awaited vaccine shot.
Well, worry no more, as the government has released an eight-step guide for the distribution of the life-saving shots.
Did you know?
Step 1 – Registration: Every person who is willing to get the vaccine is supposed to register himself/herself (as the beneficiary) on the Co-WIN system using photo identity proof. It is worth mentioning that Co-WIN is an app developed by the central government to maintain flawless data, and execute the vaccination drive transparently.
Step 2 – Vaccination details: Once the registration is complete, the beneficiary will receive SMS on his/her registered cellphone number.
Step 3 – Vaccination Officer No 1 (VO-1): The government has appointed a few Vaccination Officers to help the beneficiaries go through the vaccination process with ease at the site. The VO-1 will pre-check the registration and photo ID proof of the beneficiary, and also assist in managing the queues and crowd at the site. These officers are originally policemen, home guards, civil defense personnel, NCC, NSS or NYK members.
Step 4 – Verification Officer No 2 (VO-2): The VO-2 will cross verify and authenticate the beneficiaries’ documents on Co-WIN.
Step 5 – Vaccination Officer No 3 (VO-3): This officer will be a healthcare practitioner who will administer the vaccine to the beneficiary.
Step 6 – Waiting time: Once the vaccine is administered, the beneficiary will be asked to wait in the “observation area” for 30 minutes to keep a check on any kind of minor to major side-effects.
Step 7 – Monitoring of observation area: The government has appointed Vaccination Officer No 4 and 5 to ensure 30 minute wait time for every beneficiary. They will also guide the non-registered beneficiaries at the site.
Step 8 – Second dose: As specified in the SMS received after the first dose of vaccine, the beneficiaries will have to come for the second dose on the due date to ensure complete protection against COVID-19.
Preventing serious illnesses, hospitalizations and chances of death are some of the advantages of covid-19 vaccination in an individual, especially in patients who have multiple comorbidities.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
As of now, the Co-WIN system is not live on Android or iOS platforms. It is still in the pre-product stage. However, the government has ensured to upload on it the data of healthcare workers, who will be the first in line to get vaccinated. As per the government, about 75 lakh healthcare workers have already been registered on the app.
More importantly, if you have already downloaded or installed any app from Play Store or App Store with the name “Co-WIN”, it is not going to work, and may only have been created by some imposter to get access to your personal data. So, you should uninstall it immediately.
It may be recalled that the central government-appointed panel, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVAC), had recently released a priority list for the vaccine administration.
The panel suggested that healthcare workers (about 1 crore) will be the first to get the vaccine, followed by frontline workers (2 crores) and people above the age of 50 years (about 27 crores). The panel also confirmed that people with associated comorbidities will also get the vaccine in the first phase.
Well, it seems like the government has prepared a full-proof plan to execute this massive drive efficiently. Still, it is not going to be a difficult situation given the huge population of our country. Hence, as the responsible citizens of the country, we must abide by the rules set by our government, and should not show any haste in getting the vaccination.
