After months of coping with a healthcare crisis of unimaginable proportions, we finally have news that will cheer everyone up! Very soon, even children will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents can now breathe a sigh of relief.
To combat the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 and to prevent another escalation or the arrival of the third wave, India has been proactively administering COVID-19 vaccines for months. The goal is to vaccinate the majority of the population by the end of the year.
Till date, only legal adults were eligible for the vaccination. The safety of the vaccine for people below 18 years of age was being researched.
Naturally, parents were worried for the safety of their children and due to this reason schools also could not function as it would pose a tremendous health risk. But the Drug Controller General of India has recently given emergency use approval to another homegrown vaccine- ZyCoV-D, The Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine. It is now the world’s only Covid vaccine that is needle-free and India’s only vaccine that can be administered to individuals in the age bracket of 12 to 18 years.
ZyCoV-D has been developed by one of India’s top pharmaceutical companies Zydus Cadila, based in Ahmedabad under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ programme. The Zydus Cadila vaccine approval by DCGI came on Friday, 20 August. It is the 6th vaccine to receive emergency use approval in India after Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
The Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine is also the first plasmid DNA vaccine for COVID-19 in the world. The Plasmid DNA platform also allows generating new constructs quickly to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring. The results of the Phase I part of the Phase I/II clinical trial have already been published in the EClinical Medicine Journal of Lancet.
It is a three-dose vaccine, first dose on day 0 followed by the second dose on 28th day and third dose on 56th day.
The COVID-19 vaccine from Zydus Cadila is a needle-free vaccine, it will be applied using the PharmaJet system which can minimise the vaccine hesitation in children due to fear of needles and is also expected to reduce the pain at the site of the vaccine caused in case of injections.
The Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine has to be stored within 2 to 8 degrees temperature but it gives the flexibility of storage temperature. It can tolerate temperatures as high as 25 degrees Celsius which will ease the transportation of these vaccines.
Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine is a plasmid DNA vaccine that will elicit an immune response mediated by cellular and humoral arms of the human immune system, which play a vital role in protection from disease as well as viral clearance.
Parents will want to know how soon they can get their children vaccinated. Zydus Cadila announced that it will be able to roll out the vaccines in 45-60 days from the day of approval. There is no available data on the price of the vaccine.
More Zydus Cadila vaccine updates will stream in soon. For now, we can celebrate the arrival of a 3-dose, needle-free covid vaccine- ZyCoV-D that is considered safe for children in the age group of 12-18, as the safety and efficacy of this vaccine are well established as notified in a press release by Zydus.
Pros and Cons of a DNA Vaccine
Like all other vaccines, Zydus Cadila also comes with its own set of pros and cons which we need to be aware of especially because of its plasmid DNA composition. Read below to know the potential pros and cons of Zydus Cadila.
Pros of Zydus Cadila:
Cons of Zydus Cadila:
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.
After the 1st phase of COVID vaccination, the 2nd phase has started and already lakhs of people over the age of 60 as well as people over 45 years or above who have comorbidities have been vaccinated.
Soon, the next phase too will start where individuals above 18 – 44 years of age will be entitled to the vaccine. Vaccination is continuing uninterrupted and this has come as a breath of fresh air to everyone after a terrible year of pain, loss, grief and anxiety. In this context you may be asking, will I be able to return to the old norm after getting vaccinated? Can I stop taking the precautions of COVID-19?
That is why we should discuss what you can or cannot do and the precautions after vaccination that you need to know of.
Even though most of the vaccines that are being administered across the globe have undergone multiple trials and have been found to be effective in the trial phases and found to be efficacious, there are further studies ongoing to determine the long term effectiveness of the antibodies produced within the body by the Covid-19 vaccine. But for now, we can all take heart in the fact that the vaccines will help us fight off the coronavirus.
According to research, if you’ve been properly vaccinated and are past the 14-day window after receiving your vaccine, you should be safe. But that doesn’t rule out the possibility of spreading the virus to others.
Most youngsters who have received COVID-19 have done quite well. The viruses have also made some children quite unwell. That is why individuals and families should consider their options thoroughly before deciding to physically interact with others. Vaccinated persons are unlikely to infect others but the risk still exists.
With that in mind, let us look at which of these activities will be permissible.
1. Can I visit my loved ones?
If all of you have been vaccinated then small gatherings can be permitted. However, you must continue taking all precautions like the use of face cover or masks, hand sanitization and maintain social distancing.
But if your loved ones haven’t been vaccinated, avoid visiting them for their own good. You will not come to any harm, but you could be a carrier of COVID and pass it on to your family members or friends.
2. Can I go to restaurants, movie theatres, gyms, cafes or pubs?
After vaccination, you will be safer in public places. Even so, you have to continue wearing masks, follow social distancing and avoid going to large-sized gatherings for two reasons:
3. Will I finally be able to go on a vacation?
After vaccination, you can go on a small local vacation when you know that more or less everyone in that state is vaccinated. Local safe travels are possible. But planning an international holiday may be unwise because new COVID strains are originating and there is a possibility that our vaccines may not be effective against those.
4. Can I travel by public transport?
Yes, you can travel by public transport if you are wearing your mask correctly, if there is proper airflow from ventilation systems, and minimal talking between passengers. The transmission chances appear to be low if you avoid touching surfaces and too much crowd. As a part of returning to normal, public transportation is likely safe with COVID-19 safety precautions in mind.
5. Can fully vaccinated people do away with masks?
People who are fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks when outdoors. There are people who haven’t got both doses of the vaccine yet and can potentially spread the infection. Thus, taking all necessary precautions to prevent COVID-19 is the best way to ensure complete safety.
6. Do I need to get tested if I am exposed even if I am fully vaccinated?
Yes, if you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you must get tested. People who are fully vaccinated should get tested three to five days after a potential exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms. COVID-19 vaccines are good at protecting people from getting seriously ill, but vaccinated people can still get infected with the delta variant and spread it to others.
Here are a few precautions of COVID-19 that all responsible citizens should follow even after vaccination:
It is impossible to say whether the ‘old norm’ will ever be back again. But did you know that wearing masks and sanitization can keep you safe from the coronavirus and its other variants as well. So let us all continue to maintain hygiene protocol.
other variants as well. So let us all continue to maintain hygiene protocol.
Side effects
Minor side effects may be possible after vaccination. Some side effects of vaccines are typical and expected after vaccination. Side effects indicate your body’s development of immunological defences.
The following are some of the most common COVID-19 vaccination adverse effects:
â— Pain, swelling, and redness on the arm where the vaccine was given
â— Chills or a low-grade fever
â— Tiredness
â— Headaches
â— Muscle discomfort or joint pain
These adverse effects usually subside within a few days.
Know your current health status with full body checkups.
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.
Worried about your parent’s health during a lockdown? Indeed, the people who have been the hardest hit during the lockdown are senior citizens who live alone. Since it was announced suddenly, air and train services were called off abruptly. Many people living away from home have not been able to return to take care of their elderly parents.
If you are living in another city or state, you must be worried sick about how well your parents are coping with the lockdown. Here’s a list of things you need to do to make things easier for your parents who are home alone during the lockdown.
Why are the elderly more vulnerable to COVID-19 than youngsters? Because their immune system is weaker. That is why your parents shouldn’t go out at all during the pandemic. If they go to grocery stores, they might be exposed to the virus.
But they need their food supplies. What should you do? Order online of course. Ask your parents to make a list of foods they need. Make sure they put in vegetables, fruits and dairy because these foods are necessary for strong immunity.
Now place the order on any online delivery platform and add the address of your parent’s home. This way your parents will be able to stock up fresh supplies as and when necessary.
If your parents are on medication, they must not miss out on a single dose, especially if they have health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, kidney disorders and heart problems.
Procure a copy of your parent’s medical prescription and order the medicines online. Place a fresh order at least a few weeks before the current stock of medicines runs out. Please remember that like you, thousands are ordering online and there could be slight delays in deliveries during the lockdown.
Ensure that they have basic medicines with them for fever, headache, joint pain, acidity, constipation, antiseptic lotion, nutritional supplements and lots of band-aids.
It’s not just foods and medicines that your parents will need. They also require-
Purchase these items online in bulk so that they last longer.
You can also place an order for cooking gas cylinders for your parents online.
Many seniors pay bills (electricity, cable) offline. They also go out to get their phones recharged.
But fortunately, thanks to technological advances, all of these can be done remotely and online. So, go ahead and pay the monthly bills for them through mobile apps and recharge their phones online as well.
Giving emotional support with regular phone calls and video calls are also important apart from these in blog. The mental health deterioration in COVID times with depression rates in elderly have increased due to isolation.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Other than online shopping, is there anything else you can do?
In almost every city, NGOs and volunteer groups are willingly shopping necessities for seniors. If you know of such a group in your parents’ neighbourhood, contact them and give them the list of things your parents need.
If there are essentials you can’t purchase for your parents, these groups may be able to help you.
Supporting your parents to order medicines through online delivery channels and helping them to get the required medical assistance needed by keeping handy a list of essential medicines and contact for nearby hospitals will be helpful in such difficult times.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Now that the essentials are taken care of, you need to think about how you can uplift their spirits.
Your parents, who are alone, would be anxious and worried right now. Stress and anxiety can have negative consequences on their health. So what should you do to cheer them up?
3. Transfer money to your parents online for emergencies.
4. Ask your neighbour to visit your parents to check on them.
5. Consult with your family physician to ensure that they are available during emergencies and keep their contact numbers handy.
6. Make a list of all the emergency contact numbers such as the family physician’s number, the ambulance, the fire station number and the local police station number and send a copy to your parents so that they can easily access them in times of need. It is a great way of taking care of your parents.
7. Maintaining good relations with your neighbours since they live the closest to your parents and can come to help if they are in some kind of a problem.
8. Encourage them to adopt a pet if they are up for it. Lockdowns can be testing times when a companion is greatly treasured. Spending time with a four-legged friend improves mood and keeps thoughts of loneliness at bay.
Your parents need your help now. It’s time to be responsible adults and do everything we can for our parents.
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.
Already India has reached a 70% rate across the population for at least 1 vaccination shot, with nearly 60% having received both shots early in 2022. Now a new issue seems to be rearing its head, some doctors report that patients are complaining of post-covid symptoms associated with thyroiditis.
Of course, we’ve heard plenty about other possible post-covid complications over these past couple of years, from long-Covid to loss of smell and taste, to possible loss of sleep. Not everyone needs to fear these issues, but it is helpful to understand what potential complications you need to watch for. And Thyroiditis may be the latest one. And just to be safe, you should book your thyroid test today.
Did you know?
The thyroid is a small but very important gland located in your neck region (just above the breastbone) responsible for producing and releasing very important hormones into your body. These thyroid hormones control and regulate your body’s metabolism and also influence the functioning of other vital organs. Metabolism is the rate at which your cells and organs do their jobs and run the processes to produce energy.
Thyroiditis is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. This can cause increased or decreased levels of thyroid hormones, which results in a range of thyroid symptoms. Here’s how thyroiditis typically presents:
These are just a few of the thyroid problems you may experience, individual symptoms may differ slightly. Why does the thyroid get inflamed? There are several causes, here is a quick list to help you understand:
Patients with moderate to critical COVID-19 with no history of thyroid disease, reported altered thyroid function in more than 60% of patients during the food outbreak in the outpatient departments. Low TSH with or without lower-than-normal levels of T3 were the most frequent alterations found in these patients, monitoring is very helpful in such patients.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
The last cause of thyroiditis is the one we’re interested in. It has been reported that multiple patients are coming back to their doctor’s after Covid-19 recovery with complaints of symptoms leading to more and more thyroiditis cases.
COVID-19 has been linked to many post infection complications including subacute thyroiditis (SAT) due to production anti thyroid peroxidase antibodies by immune system which attacks the thyroid gland. Subacute thyroiditis (SAT), also known as de Quatrain thyroiditis, is a self-limiting thyroid disorder.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Experts agree that thyroiditis is not unique to Covid-19, it has been seen that many people with low or poor immunity tend to have a higher risk of developing thyroiditis after a viral infection. Recovery from subacute thyroiditis happens within 4-12 months based on each case. Not everyone will experience this complication, it can affect people across demographics, although middle-aged people seem to have a higher risk currently.
Another thing to note is that people without any previous history of thyroid problems can still experience thyroiditis (whether post-covid or not). If you’re wondering whether you could have thyroiditis, look out for these classic symptoms that may be due to a thyroid disorder-
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, your doctor might want you to get tested. Book your thyroid test today.
Typically, the above thyroid problems will show up between 3-60 days after Covid-19. One major complication of untreated, undiagnosed thyroiditis is the possibility of a thyroid storm. A thyroid storm may be life-threatening. If you have recovered from Covid-19 and are noticing any of the above symptoms, be sure to get yourself tested. Fortunately, there is an easy way your doctor can diagnose your situation, by measuring the number of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and TSH in your blood. Book a thyroid profile test today to find out whether you may have thyroiditis or not. This test checks for the levels T3 and T4 hormones as well as the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). Once you get your results, your doctor will be able to diagnose the problem and prescribe you the necessary treatment which usually shows positive results very soon. The right specialist to consult for a thyroid disorder would be an endocrinologist, if not available near you consult a general physician but do not ignore this condition.
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.
This article has been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Most of the current COVID-19 vaccines have been found effective against the previous variants so far. However, over 30 mutations have been reported in the new Omicron variant. Mutations are responsible for bringing about the changes in the nature of the virus hence the question of the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines against the new variant- Omicron has arisen.
The World Health Organization has designated omicron as a “variant of concern,” adding that it can pose a very high global risk. [1]
In this article, we will see what existing vaccination options we have available at the moment and how effective, if at all, will they be against Omicron, the latest variant of COVID-19.
Adar Poonawala, CEO of Serum Institute of India (maker of Covishield vaccine), mentioned that studies are underway at the moment and the effectiveness of the Covishield vaccine with the Omicron variant can only be studied properly during the next 2-3 weeks. He further added that it’s too early to draw conclusions about the extent of the seriousness of the newly discovered Omicron, a variant that the WHO has designated with the Variant of Concern title.
In an interview with NDTV, Poonawala mentioned that a booster dose is possible specifically for the Omicron variant, however, the priority should be to get every citizen double vaccinated first.
In a research, AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine Covishield was effective against the Omicron coronavirus variation after the third treatment, with neutralising levels similar to those shown after a conventional two-dose course against the Delta variant.
Experts suggest that Covaxin could possibly be highly effective against the Omicron variant as it is a ‘whole virion inactivated coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, we need to wait for some more time to get concrete evidence to support this.
According to an official with the Indian Council of Medical Research, Covaxin is anticipated to be more effective against the highly mutating Omicron form than other COVID-19 vaccinations (ICMR).
“Covaxin is an inactivated whole virion vaccine. “It covers the full virus,” the official explained, “so it can operate against this highly modified new form”. “It was previously discovered that Covaxin was effective against all variations, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. As a result, we expect it to work against the new variety as well,” added another ICMR official.
In my experience variants will continue to evolve however due to robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses elicited by existing vaccines there will be cross protection.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
The Pfizer vaccine will offer strong protection against any severe symptom caused by Omicron, Reuters quoted BioNTech’s, Chief Executive Officer. Speaking to the BBC recently, Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s CEO, said he is of the view getting vaccinated every year may be the way to offer a “very high level of protection” against the deadly disease that has reportedly caused upwards of five million casualties across the world.
The company is said to be updating their jab in response to Omicron, which could be ready in a short time, possibly 100 days. At the end of this year, Pfizer is expected to have supplied about three billion doses of their mRNA vaccine. The plan for next year stands at 4 billion.
If a person is infected with COVID but with an Omicron variant, he or she is less likely to develop a severe COVID infection, although there still is a requirement for a medical advice to appropriately manage the infection.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
We’ve seen five different types of concerns in the last two years: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron. While the first four VOCs were discovered in different regions of the world in 2020, Omicron was discovered in November 2021 in South Africa.
A recent article by Nature pointed out four possible scenarios of how the virus can evolve in the future.
Scenarios 1: SARS-best CoV-2’s hope – but also the least likely – is to follow in the footsteps of measles. Infection or immunisation confers lifetime immunity and the virus spreads mostly through new births.
Scenarios 2: SARS-CoV-2 following the path of the respiratory syncytial virus is a more realistic, but still hopeful, option (RSV). The majority of persons become infected within the first two years of their lives. RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalisation, however, most occurrences in children are minor.
Scenarios 3: The third is coronavirus imitating the influenza A virus and is responsible for global seasonal influenza epidemics each year. New variants are able to evade the immunity elicited by previous strains due to rapid evolution. Seasonal epidemics emerge, as a result, fueled mostly by the transmission of the disease among adults, who can still acquire severe symptoms. The flu vaccine helps to lessen the severity of the illness.
Scenarios 4: But if SARS-CoV-2 evolves to evade immunity more sluggishly, it might come to resemble influenza B. That virus’s slower rate of change, compared with influenza A, means that its transmission is driven largely by infections in children, who have less immunity than adults.
Last week, a WHO official stated that the next strain of concern will be more fit, i.e., more transmissible because it will have to outcompete the existing strain. “The main question is whether future versions will be more or less severe,” says the author. Although hypotheses abound, there is no guarantee that the following variants will be gentler than the prior ones.
According to the official, the future version of Covid may dodge vaccine safeguards, even more, making existing vaccines for coronavirus even less effective.
The Gamaleya Institute believes both versions, Sputnik V and Sputnik Light, will be effective at neutralising the Omicron variant. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), made a statement recently about the same, the RDIF was a key supporter of the vaccine development at the state-run Gamaleya Center. In the statement, they said that the centre “has already begun developing the new version of Sputnik vaccine adapted to Omicron.”
Johnson & Johnson mentioned on their website that it is pursuing an Omicron-specific variant vaccine and will continue to work if need be. ”The new Omicron variant highlights the importance of continued surveillance, testing and vaccination to prevent hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19,” said Dr Mathai Mammen, global head for Janssen Research & Development LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
“We remain confident in the robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses elicited by the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated by the durability and breadth of protection against variants to date in clinical studies.” [2]
Also Read: Omicron Variant: Latest News & Updates
As of now, there is no evidence to support the thought that existing vaccines will be ineffective or less effective against the Omicron variant. As the WHO recommends, we need to continue to use vaccination as our best bet against severe illness and lower the risk of death due to COVID-19. With enough people vaccinated, the virus that is causing this pandemic will have fewer hosts. Fewer hosts mean not only fewer people getting sick, but also fewer opportunities for the virus to evolve and change. Let’s all work together to keep following the pandemic safety measures and we can eventually be safe from the virus once and for all. We need to be vigilant, but not only due to the Omicron variant. Simple actions like wearing a mask in public, maintaining social distance and regularly washing hands will help us to meaningfully lower our risk of catching this disease.
Also Read:
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.
References
[1]-https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern
[2]-https://www.jnj.com/johnson-johnson-to-evaluate-its-covid-19-vaccine-against-new-omicron-covid-19-variant
While people around the globe are debating about the importance of COVID-19 vaccine, it is safe to say that we have come to the conclusion that the vaccines are definitely effective, they can significantly reduce the severity of the infection and it also brings down the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 mortality rates. The first set of people who received the COVID-19 vaccine were older people and people with comorbidities, as they were believed to be the most vulnerable. The vaccines were later made available to adults and children.
Initially, there was a lot of confusion regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women. Most people thought it was best to wait. However, with further research, experts now suggest expecting women to get vaccinated. Pregnant women in India can opt for any COVID-19 vaccine available to them, including Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V. There are a few other vaccines widely available for pregnant women around the world and are considered safe.
COVID-19 can indeed be severe for people who are pregnant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have listed pregnant women under COVID-19 high-risk groups. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 while pregnant is now considered a must. If you are still wary about it, it is best to speak to your doctor regarding the same.
When pregnant people are affected with COVID-19, they may be at an increased risk of ICU admission and may need mechanical ventilation. There have also been cases of pregnant women who have symptomatic COVID-19 passing away.
It is scientifically proven that getting the COVID-19 vaccine when you are pregnant, can protect you and your baby from getting extremely sick. It can further help in reducing pregnancy complications or premature births due to severe Covid related illness.
Based on my observations, I may say that if you are pregnant and are older, overweight, or have pre-existing medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart conditions, or diabetes, it’s important to be extra cautious. As you may be at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. Talk to your doctor for guidance and get vaccinated as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
When people receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, their bodies build antibodies against COVID-19, similar to people who are not pregnant. Antibodies made after a pregnant person received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were found in umbilical cord blood. This means COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy might help protect babies against COVID-19. More data are needed to determine how these antibodies, similar to those produced with other vaccines, may protect the baby.
Research has looked at children under six months old to find out whether the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has positive impacts on infants who are otherwise too young to receive vaccines. Mothers who were vaccinated during pregnancy had babies who did not require to be hospitalized. The COVID-19 vaccines were 61% effective overall.
I may have awesome news for breastfeeding moms. When you get vaccinated against COVID-19, the antibodies your body produces may be passed on to your baby through breast milk. This means that getting vaccinated might potentially provide some protection to your little one against the virus.
Dr. Anuja Bodhare, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Those mothers who were vaccinated 21 weeks through 14 days before delivery, had babies who were found to be 80% protected. Whereas the vaccination effectiveness remains only 32% for the babies whose mothers had been vaccinated much earlier during their pregnancy.
Pregnant women should be encouraged to get vaccinated. It ensures that both the mother and the infant are protected. The CDC also recommends that women who are planning to get pregnant now or in the future must consider getting vaccinated and stay up to date with COVID-19 shots.
If you’re pregnant or have recently given birth, it’s important to stay informed about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. According to ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), they recommend that pregnant women or those who have recently given birth may get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after completing their initial vaccine shots.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
The fact is, if you are pregnant and have no health concerns or complications, you are still at a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization if you get infected with COVID-19 and are not vaccinated. With a complicated or high-risk pregnancy, getting vaccinated is even more important. Speak to your doctor and follow the advice. Myth: There is no point in getting vaccinated because my baby and I can still get COVID-19 and pass it to others.
The fact is not getting vaccinated makes you eight times more likely to get COVID-19 than those who are vaccinated. This should be enough reason for you to get vaccinated. To add to that, pregnant people who are not vaccinated are 25 times more likely to experience hospitalization or death. They are also more likely to spread it to others.
Fact is, even though the body can create antibodies to protect itself from reinfection, we do not know for sure how long they can last. Moreover, natural antibodies may not work in the same ways for all people. Getting vaccinated is the best option for future protection. If you are still unsure, talk to your doctor or OB/GYN. They will provide you with the best information to keep you and your baby safe and healthy.
From what I have observed, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 brings several benefits, even during pregnancy. First, it may lower your risk of experiencing severe illness. Additionally, vaccination might decrease the risk of premature birth or stillbirth, providing added protection for both the parent and the baby.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Pregnant women can get vaccinated at any point during their pregnancy if they haven’t already received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. There are no reasons to be hesitant about taking the COVID-19 vaccine when pregnant. You must remember that the pros outweigh the cons. If you get fever as a side-effect of the vaccine, home remedies can manage them well. In case you are pregnant and you have a prior history of allergy to vaccine or sensitivity to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, you must tell the concerns to your healthcare provider and do what seems the best thing to do.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a 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
A re-infection means getting infected with a disease that you already suffered from once. Reinfection with the COVID-19 virus means a person was previously infected, recovered and got infected again. While it is true that most individuals who recover from COVID-19 will have some protection, reinfections do occur. The reported cases of a re-infection are fewer.
Our immune system plays the role of remembering certain infections and recognizes them the moment they enter our body. It fights the infection and protects you. However, it tends to forget some of the infections, especially the ones that have changed their form, mutated and appeared as a new variant. The antibodies produced in our body previously may not be as responsive the next time. It is possible to get an infection with the same strain again and your body’s immunity will likely be highly responsive and try to limit the spread of the infection. It can prevent you from getting a severe illness or having complications depending on other pre-existing medical conditions of a person. It is important to understand that anyone can get reinfection with COVID.
In my opinion, like in dengue always reinfection will have severe symptoms due to accelerated immune response.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Reinfection is something that cannot be ignored in COVID, irrespective of the variant. This is why it is crucial to not take any risks and continue to follow COVID guidelines. Since we cannot say for sure what’s in store for us in the future, it only makes sense to continue following COVID appropriate behaviour even after a recent COVID recovery. It is advised to maintain physical distancing, proper masking and sanitise frequently in order to avoid possible reinfection from any variant.
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Individuals may be at a higher risk of having COVID-19 re-infection due to several factors that may increase their risk of exposure to the virus. One must continue to take preventive measures after being fully vaccinated and even after getting infected with COVID-19 once. Weak immunity can be a major risk factor of COVID-19 re-infection. People who are undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant or autoimmune disorders are at greater risk of COVID-19 reinfection.
Getting covid for the second or third time might pose a higher health risk especially in immunocompromised, elderly, pregnant females and children.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
With the onset of Omicron, experts say COVID symptoms are now milder in the majority of the cases. Most people who are re-infected with COVID may only experience cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, body ache and mild fever which lasts for 3 days. In certain cases of COVID-19 reinfection, people have reported gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Only a small number have reported serious illness due to re-infection.
The way in which fully vaccinated individuals are more protected against severe COVID-19 infections than unvaccinated people, similarly, people who have had COVID-19 once are thought to experience milder symptoms of COVID re-infection. The re-infected person has some pre-existing immunity from their primary infection. Experts say the severity and symptoms depend on the variants one is affected with.
You may think that if vaccines are unable to prevent a re-infection, they are not effective enough. However, the truth is vaccination can bring down the rate of mortality, prevent the severity of COVID-19 re-infection, control the rate of transmission and reduce the need for hospitalisation.
After getting vaccinated, your body may take a few days or up to two weeks to build immunity against the virus. It is possible that you may contract the virus immediately after getting your shot. This is why even if you are fully vaccinated, you must continue to follow the guidelines and COVID-19 appropriate behaviour sincerely.
Scientists say that immunity wanes over a certain period of time, which is why booster doses of vaccines are important. It re-exposes the body’s immune system to the virus and triggers an immune response. As we continue to learn more about COVID-19 re-infection, we must understand the importance of vaccination and abide by COVID guidelines.
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.
As the research on new treatment options forCOVID-19 continues, the reports on the advancement and administration of vaccination have shown a decline in the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases. As more and more people began understanding the importance of vaccines and took the jab, the need for hospitalization among infected patients decreased to a great extent. The death rates come down. Things have finally begun to look up.
However, this wasn’t the end of it. Many studies have already proved that the virus is evolving. What it might mean is not clear yet. But chances are that the variants will continue to become more and more contagious. That is why immunization is of more importance than ever before. The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is the concern at present and people who are fully vaccinated are likely to have enhanced protection. People with comorbidities, weaker immunity are vulnerable but taking proper caution can keep them safe. The emergence of new treatment options like covid nasal spray has given a lot of hope to everyone.
The main ingredient in the nasal spray for COVID is nitric oxide. Large scale research Use of NONS(Nitric oxide nasal spray) in patients recently infected with SARS-CoV-2 accelerates nasal virus clearance.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
It is important to note that India has played a crucial role in COVID-19 vaccine research and treatment. India is regarded as a major contributor to the global vaccine supply and is known as the vaccine manufacturing hub of the world. The country has immense capacity to manufacture COVID-19 vaccine doses annually. These are low-cost COVID-19 vaccines and are made available for countries that cannot afford expensive vaccines. Covaxin is India’s first indigenous COVID-19 inactivated vaccine developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech and Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) is the Indian version of the vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.
Recently, Glenmark, a renowned Mumbai based pharmaceutical company, has launched a nasal spray. This is the latest discovery and it contains Nitric Oxide. The spray has been named FabiSpray and it has been launched in India, in partnership with a Canadian pharmaceutical, SaNOtize.
After the Phase 3 trials, reduction of viral load, up to 99 per cent in 48 hours have been shared in some reports. The company received a green signal from India’s drug regulator, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray to be successfully manufactured and marketed.
The nasal spray is meant for topical use only. It is a manual pump spray, convenient to use, ideally, it must be sprayed, over nasal mucosa a maximum of 3 times per day. It acts as a barrier against the virus, both physically and chemically. This should be taken on the doctor’s advice along with the complete prescribed treatment.
FabiSpray claims to be an effective aid for adult patients suffering from COVID-19. It can control the multiplication of the COVID-19 virus in the upper respiratory tract itself. The nasal spray may stop the progression of the infection in Covid-19 patients. However, people should refrain from self-medication of this spray as proper diagnosis and treatment of the illness by a doctor is important and mandatory.
As a leading pharmaceutical company in India, Glenmark has stepped up and this nasal spray will likely be accepted by people. The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues and we must be willing to seek appropriate treatment. The company considers the nasal spray an effective and safe antiviral treatment for COVID-19. In a statement issued by the company, it has been said that the nasal spray was a much-needed therapy option and is relevant in the current scenario as it works against the new emerging variants and can put a check on the chain of transmissibility.
NONS is a timely therapeutic option. According to studies, it is estimated to kill up to 99.9 per cent of SARS-Cov-2 virus including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon variants in a short span.
The difficulties encountered in conventional routes of covid vaccine administration can be dealt with by nasal vaccines as they are needle-free and can be self-administered, and they present less logistical burden as they do not need refrigeration.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.
You must remember that vaccination remains the best option to prevent an infection. With the launch of FabiSpray nasal spray you can definitely stop a severe infection or check the further progress of the virus but note that you must continue to stay protected, follow necessary Covid guidelines, wear a mask, maintain distancing, sanitize frequently and get vaccinated at the earliest. If you are eligible for the booster dose, you must opt for it. Once the nasal spray is available in markets, you can purchase it by showing a prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
You read that right. We already knew that vaccinations are great for lowering the chances of getting hospitalised due to COVID-19. Now in a new study, getting a triple shot vaccination, ie., 3 doses of COVID vaccine are being reported to also reduce the risk of death by 93%!
When compared with people who were unvaccinated vs people who received a triple vaccination for COVID-19, the latter had a much lower death rate. This reiterates the call that the medical community has been saying all along, vaccines are our biggest hope to get through the pandemic.
The latest study comes out of the Office For National Statistics in the UK, a government affiliate office and official statistics reporter for the UK parliament. This study was conducted prior to the Omicron surge, hence the latest variant and its effects have not yet been measured in this context.
The study was based on a large sample size of nearly 70,000 individuals, going over the risk of death based on whether the person was unvaccinated, had 2 shots or had completed 3 shots. The data has been calculated till the end of December 2021, hence it has not yet captured the bulk of the Omicron led wave in the UK.
Here are some easy to digest figures that show just how important vaccinations are:
For most of this time, just getting two doses had significantly lowered the risk of death (vs unvaccinated). But with Omicron being more easily transmissible and the assumptions on the first two doses of vaccination losing some potency over time, the risk of death even for double vaccinated people started to climb. Also, it is imperative to understand that other factors like old age and comorbidities may also increase the risk of severe illness and hospitalisations in people with just one or two doses of vaccination.
The rollout of booster shots (or triple vaccinations) across England has brought down the risk of death significantly once more. This news is promising since it takes data from a very large sample. A heartwarming statistic from this report shows that the most vulnerable people (elderly adults) were found to have their risk of death lowered by a staggering 89% after getting their third shot!
Another key takeaway is that this report once again shows why the pandemic is a numbers game. Even though most experts seem to agree that Omicron is milder, it still is highly transmissible. This means that many more people are likely to get infected and even if a small percentage of those people face hospitalisation or death, the number of deaths is still large. Here are some very quick maths for you:
So yes, Omicron may be milder. But if large numbers of people get it, the risk of people dying is scary. Luckily, we now have some evidence and direction with this latest report.
We can be grateful that the medical community around the world anticipated this very situation and have been preparing for the third vaccination process. The USA has been on a battlefield with the pandemic and has recently simplified the eligibility for getting the booster shot (along with a renewed push to increase testing). The UK is leading the front with over 80% of eligible people (over 18 years) having received their third jab. In the European Union, talks are still on for developing policies over the necessity of a triple vaccination. Israel has set a new path by calling for not just 3, but a fourth booster shot rollout. Meanwhile, Australia has reduced the time you need to wait to take your third dose.
This latest report brings a mix of good and bad news. On one hand, the vaccinations we took are seemingly losing effectiveness against the new variants of COVID-19, which means we have to take every possible measure to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus even after getting the full course of vaccination. On the other hand, we already have precaution doses (third dose of vaccines) rolling out for senior citizens and healthcare workers in India. We know that getting vaccinated is not a 100% protection tool, but it is a very significant tool that helps enormously to lower the risk of hospitalisation and death due to COVID. Vaccination may also help in the long run to fight the Pandemic at the global level. As the virus evolves and the situation changes, we need to be ready to do what we can and get ahead of it. If you are eligible for a triple vaccination, get yours done as soon as you can and do not forget to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.
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.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19latestinsights/deaths#deaths-by-vaccination-status
Covid appropriate behaviour has become a part of our lives since March 2020, and with the passage of time, the COVID-19 virus has transformed and transmuted to different versions. The threat and anxiety that covid posed in its earlier stages have reduced substantially, but it is still playing quite a large role in our lives. We have seen the covid cases go down and then go up again several times, and we have somehow become accustomed to it. But now, even though the covid cases numbers are known to fall, there lies a bigger and more importantly undetected issue. The asymptomatic carriers of covid.
Asymptomatic covid carriers are people who have contracted covid but do not exhibit the known symptoms of the disease. They may not show any symptoms but can transmit the infection to others unknowingly. The number of asymptomatic people is on the rise, but due to the reduced power of the virus, the situation isn’t as serious as before.
We have been aware of asymptomatic carriers of covid since the dawn of the disease, though most affected were symptomatic. That was mostly because of the early covid variants-they were not only powerful and potent but also we had no vaccines. But over time, we have achieved good vaccination coverage, have learnt to adapt to all safety precautions meant to reduce the risk of exposure. This is one of the primary reasons why most people are asymptomatic these days.
Another contributing factor here is the innate immune system in people. The innate immune system is the first line of defence that we are born with, which protects us against the first attack of diseases. People with a stronger innate immune system are less likely to show symptoms than the ones with a compromised immune system. In the former case, the virus isn’t able to reach the adaptive immune system to trigger the common symptoms. If someone is fully vaccinated, that too increases their immunity considerably.
But even then, asymptomatic covid carriers can transmit the disease just as well as the symptomatic ones. That is why proper precaution is needed.
Carriers mean they carry the virus but they don’t have disease. Currently the tests for COVID only detect whether or not the virus is there in the body and the quantity of virus in body.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Yes, asymptomatic covid carriers can be in the way of harm, but the risks are considerably lower than symptomatic people. Researchers in Wuhan, China has published a paper that confirmed that even asymptomatic people can get lung diseases, as the virus keeps multiplying inside their bodies. But on a positive note, they may also have a higher chance of recovery, especially if treated early.
There is no distinct way of knowing if you are asymptomatic other than testing for it. If you show mild symptoms or if you have been in contact with a symptomatic covid carrier, then it is best to quarantine yourself for at least 7 days, at least as a precaution. It is not mandatory to be tested if you have been in contact with a covid positive person unless you are exhibiting symptoms or belong to a high-risk group (age more than 60 years, comorbidities like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, cancer, weak immunity, etc).
Silent carriers or spreaders are the ones who have the infection but do not show any symptoms, children are not prone to be silent carriers, RTPCR or raid antigen is very helpful for detection in such cases.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
There are certain precautionary steps that one can take to keep themselves and the people around them safe from Covid. Some of them are:
Covid might have wreaked havoc in the world, but with the passage of time, we are seeing a tinge of hope in our future. We have come a long way in our battle with Covid, and if we just take the right steps for a bit longer, we are surely going to emerge victoriously.
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