Covaxin vs Covishield – A Detailed Comparison – Efficacy, Side effects
By Isha Kukde +2 more
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By Isha Kukde +2 more
The COVID-19 vaccination drive has already begun in India and many people are still unaware of how the two vaccines – Covaxin and Covishield – are different from each other.
The third phase began on April 1, in which people over the age of 18 can take life-saving shots.
Currently, the government hasn’t allowed people to decide which vaccine they want to get, but the result of the first phase clearly suggests that both the vaccines being inoculated in India are safe and effective. As of now, 41.2 crore doses have been administered. 8.55 crore people of 6.3% of the total population are fully vaccinated.
Table of Contents
Well, we have compiled all the information to give you a better understanding of the formulation and every other detail about covishield vs covaxin you are going to get to stay safe from the Coronavirus. Have a look:
Covaxin has been developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV). Covaxin is currently trying to procure WHO approval to ease international travel woes for people who have opted for this vaccine. All the relevant documents have urgently been submitted to the officials of WHO.
Because the Delta variant is proving to be more infectious than the other COVID variants, the makers of Covaxin have started a new study to determine the effectiveness of the third dose of Covaxin (the booster dose). The results are expected to be made public in November 2021.
Covishield has been developed by the Oxford-AstraZeneca and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).
Doctors are mulling over the need for a booster dose for Covishield as well, considering the fact that the elderly and people with comorbidities may not be producing the desired immunity response to the Delta variant.
Covaxin is an inactivated viral vaccine. This vaccine is developed with Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology. They contain inactivated viruses, which can not infect a person but still can teach the immune system to prepare a defence mechanism against the active virus.
These conventional vaccines have been in use for decades now. There are vaccines for some other diseases as well which are made using the same technology. These diseases are –
If you are wondering Covishield is which type of vaccine, it has been prepared using the viral vector platform, a totally different technology.
A chimpanzee adenovirus – ChAdOx1 – has been modified to enable it to carry the COVID-19 spike protein into the cells of humans. Well, this cold virus is basically incapable of infecting the receiver but can very well teach the immune system to prepare a mechanism against such viruses.
The exact technology was used to prepare vaccines for viruses like Ebola.
There is no difference between the two vaccines in terms of dosage. Both of them are administered as 0.5ml in the upper arm region.
But, the dosing schedule for both vaccines however varies. The second dose of Covaxin is scheduled after 4-6 weeks after the first dose, while for Covishield vaccines it is 84 days or 12-16 weeks after the first dose.
Both Covishield and Covaxin can be stored at 2-8 ° Centigrade, which is a household refrigerator temperature. This makes both the vaccines most suited for Indian conditions as most of the vaccines here are kept at the same temperature range.
This also makes the transportation and storage of both vaccines easier.
Both vaccines have shown more than satisfactory results ever since the inoculation started in India.
The effectiveness of the Covishield vaccine is nearly 90% as per the global reports and the Covaxin vaccine’s is 81% according to interim 3rd phase trial results.
After getting vaccinated, you may experience pain at the site of injection. Some people may also experience side effects such as headaches, joint pain and may feel feverish. These side effects do not persist for long and generally go within a day or two.
Covaxin has currently been granted approval for emergency restricted use, while Covishield has been allowed for restricted use in emergency situations that can potentially prevent coronavirus infection in people aged 18 years and above.
The Covaxin vaccine has begun its clinical trial in children aged above 2 years of age.
However, the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) has not given a market use authorization clearance to any of the vaccines till now.
Both the vaccines are being inoculated free of cost at government health set-ups. However, the cost of vaccines at the private hospital varies. Thus, you should always contact the hospitals for the exact cost of the vaccine.
Also Read: Is Covishield Effective Against Omicron?
Both Covaxin and Covishield are intramuscular vaccines.
Covishield and Covaxin have been approved for people aged 18 years and above.
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Covishield | Covaxin |
The interval between 1st and 2nd doses is 12-16 weeks. | The interval between the 2 doses is 4-6 weeks. |
Efficacy after the second dose can vary from 70-90%. | This vaccine can be 78-95% effective after the second dose. |
People above 18 years of age can opt for this vaccine. | This vaccine can be injected into people above 18 years of age. |
The newest vaccine to arrive in India
In June, Drug Controller General of India gave Cipla the permission to procure the Moderna vaccine from the US. It is the first US vaccine to arrive in India. 7.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been offered to India.
This vaccine uses the mRNA technology and tests have found it to be 94.1% effective.
Also Read: Is Covaxin Effective Against Omicron?
Difference between Sputnik V and the other two vaccines
Sputnik | Covishield and Covaxin |
Developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology in association with Dr Reddy’s. | Covishield is developed by the SII, Oxford University and AstraZeneca whereas Covaxin is developed by Bharat Biotech and ICMR. |
It is 91.6 per cent effective. | Covishield can be up to 90% effective and Covaxin has been found to be 78-81% effective. |
The interval between the 2 doses is likely to be 21 days. | The gap between the doses of Covishiled and Covaxin are respectively 12-16 weeks and 4-6 weeks |
The newest vaccine to arrive in India
In June, Drug Controller General of India gave Cipla the permission to procure the Moderna vaccine from the US. It is the first US vaccine to arrive in India. 7.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been offered to India.
This vaccine uses the mRNA technology and tests have found it to be 94.1% effective.
Are you keeping a tab on your health? Let’s find out.
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Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m inspired!
Very helpful information specifically the remaining part 🙂 I handle such information much.
I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Nicely described the differences between the two Vaccines CoVaccine and Covishield.
I have take covaccine it’s safe.
Which vaccine is advisable for those who have an allergic condition (drug – sulpha, nice, dust, etc)? What precautions should be taken before or after vaccination?
Hi Paresh.
History of a food or drug allergy is not a contraindication for taking the COVID vaccine. You may take any of the vaccines permitted in your country after checking the vaccine’s list of excipients for the presence of any known allergen. You may consult with your doctor for better advice based on clinical judgment.
Make sure to wait at the vaccination center for at least 30 minutes after vaccination.
Be watchful for any symptoms that may appear for up to 72 hours after vaccination. Consult your doctor in case of any unusual symptom or sign of an allergic reaction. Stay healthy and safe.
Thank you for a seemingly fair analysis of the available vaccines. I was looking for this information and it helped me with the purpose of my search.
(1)What are the respective side effects of Covishield and Covaxin? (2) What about the repoted rare blood clotting side effect of Covishield that prompted some countries to suspend the use of Covishield? Does Covaxin also bear the risk of the same side effect?(3) Can the use of the either vaccine vary depending on the health status of the recipient? If so, when?
Satisfactory.. Waiting for the delivery of medicines
Very Informative .Thank you very much.
Can people who have taken the Covaxin dose now take the Covishield dose? Please reply. Thank you.
Hi Narendra,
Both Covishield and Covaxin have shown to provide good immunity after 2 doses. If someone has taken a full course ie both doses of Covaxin there is no need of taking another vaccine. Also, you should not mix the vaccines. If your first dose was of Covishield, the second dose should also be of Covishield. Similarly, if you have taken Covaxin as the first dose, make sure to take Covaxin as the second dose too. Stay healthy and safe.
Dear PharmEasy,
Your articles are very nice full of medical facts and proofs.
But 1 thing is missing – share button. It would have been great if we can also share these articles on whatsapp or as a link.
Thanks!
Very helpful
Great…it was quite useful..
Good service
My relation took Covaxin first dosage, but now Covishield is only available. For second dose can they take Covishield
Nice info
It’s very good information about vaccines your given everyone can understand the perfect percentage of working capacity both vaccines!
Very useful information about 2 indian vaccines.
I am a senior citizen and had been taken 2nd dose of covishield vaccine on 2nd April. I was tested COVID 19 positive on 21st May.. The effectiveness disease was very mild. During the period of home isolation I felt mild dry Cough and Cold. I never suffered from fever. Now I am completely OK .
Excellent and informative
Your article contains good information that I need to know. Thank you so much
Very informative of both vaccines, covishield and Covaxin. Already got two shots same and my wife also got two.
Thanks.
Our central govt. Is doing the very best to innoculate the maximum benefisheries.Most of the people would have been covered by now.because of mis guidence by unwanted social elements, there is lott of confusion and demand all of a sudden.
My age is 68 years and I have taken the 2 doses of Coveshield vaccination.
Very useful…
I think that the covishield is more successful. It gives us an important lesson that the expensive one is always not better than the cheaper ones.
I pray that all the person who is infected by Covid-19 will recover and all will become normal as usual. ???
Article contains very good informative
My mother is a diabetic patient. Can she go for the COVID vaccination?
A very satisfied clarification provided by you sir…thank you so much.?
Lot of thanks for awareness about covid vaccine
Very useful and depicted clear defences between two famous vaccine using in India
Very informative
Thanks for the detailed info and very helpful
This comparison made me decide n go ahead with vaccination !!
Very good informations to clarify doubts about vaccines
Really very useful information thank you
Now covaxin is not available we need to use covishield but good information.
Awesome differentiation,
Very important information provided by you. Thank you so much.
Good information. Thanks
I am vaccinated for 1st dose of covishield it feels good, I wish should take all people as per government rules Thanks and regards Indian government
Thank you to give good information
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