Despite the various variants of the coronavirus (like the Delta variant), the world as a whole is slowly but surely moving away from the pandemic. Around the globe vaccination rates are increasing, while Covid-19 related infection, hospitalization and death rates are decreasing.
Along with Covid-19 protocols like hand hygiene, respiratory etiquettes, physical distancing, vaccination is quickly becoming the most powerful tool against Covid-19. There have been many studies over the past year noting the difference between people vaccinated for Covid-19 vs those who are unvaccinated. Vaccination has been shown to drastically lower your risk of getting severe symptoms upon infection, even if breakthrough infections are possible.
Vaccines are not 100% successful, even when fully vaccinated (for Covid-19 or anything else) there is still a small chance you can still get infected. When someone catches the disease that they are fully vaccinated for, it is commonly known as a breakthrough infection. You may be thinking, well then, what’s the point of getting vaccinated if breakthrough infections are possible?
The fact is that currently, hospitalizations and deaths related to COVID-19 are made up overwhelmingly of unvaccinated people. According to the CDC in the USA, deaths and hospitalizations of fully vaccinated people make up just 0.01% of total vaccinated cases. To put that into perspective, if 1 million people got vaccinated, only 100 of those would experience hospitalization or death. The rate of the same in unvaccinated people is much higher.
You have a lower risk of catching COVID-19 if you’re vaccinated and even if you happen to suffer from a breakthrough infection, you’re still at a much lower risk of hospitalisation and death. To be clear, these facts also take into account early data that includes Delta variant cases.
By now it has become common knowledge that all viruses and bacteria mutate and evolve with time in response to vaccines and medicines. Sometimes (not always) these mutations can lead to variants that are more harmful or spread more easily. That happens to be the situation for the Delta variant of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Many countries started easing on pandemic protocols only to get slammed by new Delta variant cases. We know that vaccines have lower effectiveness with breakthrough Delta variant cases. But still, most vaccines provide substantial protection against the Delta variant than not being vaccinated at all.
Some previously discovered data on Delta variant cases:
The only protection we have against the deadly Delta variant is vaccination. The effectiveness of vaccination may drop to 39% – 95% as compared to its effectiveness against the Alpha variant. But that is still a massive leg-up from being unvaccinated.
People who are vaccinated are not only less likely to get infected (by any variant) but are also less likely to experience severe symptoms. It has been reported that fully vaccinated people experience much milder symptoms (runny nose, congestion, etc) compared to unvaccinated people. Obviously, people with weaker immune systems are at a higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. But unvaccinated people will have an increased risk of suffering severe symptoms caused by the Delta variant, including fever, difficulty breathing and headaches.
More severe symptoms of COVID-19 will often lead to an increased risk of hospitalization. Unvaccinated people are more likely to need hospital treatment when infected with the coronavirus and its variants. Several factors play into hospitalization rates, such as age, weaker immune systems, other comorbid conditions and which variant infects you. But vaccination seems to benefit people against the Delta variant at some level, regardless of other factors.
Here’s a quick summary to get a gist of vaccination effectiveness against the Delta variant:
Also Read: Omicron Variant vs Vaccine Efficacy
Many people are afraid of the current situation. People fear not only the virus and losing loved ones but also fear vaccine reactions. But getting COVID-19 can lead to major complications while vaccine reactions are mild and last only a couple of days. The enormous body of evidence is painting a clear picture – vaccination is better overall, regardless of variant. It is best to avoid sensationalized, clickbait news sites that try to instil fear about ‘increasing breakthrough infections!’. Breakthrough infections are expected and it is nothing to get agitated about. Besides this, their occurrence is very low. Fully vaccinated people can increase their protection against the Delta variant (and other variants) by continuing to wear a mask, maintain social distance and wash hands regularly. If you are unvaccinated, you need to do the same but also get your vaccination done at the earliest.
Also Read: Omicron Variant: Latest News & Updates
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.
“Breakthrough infection” is a new term that you may have heard recently. It stands for those people who are fully vaccinated for at least two weeks and then contract COVID-19 infection. It is very much similar to unvaccinated people who get infected with the virus but there are some differences in the symptoms and intensity of the infection.
According to a study conducted on the symptoms of the breakthrough infection, it presents itself with signs like –
Some of these symptoms are exactly the same that unvaccinated people experience when they contract COVID-19. The common symptoms are –
Notably, there are a couple of more symptoms that usually vaccinated people do not experience. They are –
These two are the most common COVID-19 symptoms but vaccinated people are way less likely to experience these problems. According to a study, people who suffer from breakthrough infection are 58 percent less likely to experience heightened body temperature as compared to the people who did not get their jabs.
A few studies have also proven that people who have already taken both their shots of COVID-19 are less likely to be hospitalised than people who have not taken the vaccine yet.
The other difference is that vaccinated people are less likely to experience any symptoms in the initial stages of the infection and also may not develop long COVID.
As per the experts, the reason behind vaccinated people developing milder symptoms could be the vaccines. Even if these vaccines are unable to block the infection entirely, they seem to ensure that the infected person has fewer virus particles in his/her body.
This belief is yet to be proven with concrete studies but the recent cases suggest the same story.
Read More: All About The Omicron Covid Variant
According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom, 0.2 percent of the population, which means one in every 500 people, suffers from breakthrough infection after being fully vaccinated. The researchers, however, confirmed that the risk is not the same for everyone. They highlighted four things that may be contributing to your shield against COVID-19. Have a look –
The most important and the first aspect should be the type of vaccine you have taken and the relative risk reduction it offers. Relative risk reduction stands for a measurement of how less likely you become to contract the infection as compared to an unvaccinated person.
The relative risk reduction doesn’t completely assure you that the effects of the vaccine are going to last forever. Over the past few weeks, the debate over the third dose of the vaccines has intensified only because the scientists and researchers believe that the efficacy of the vaccines is surely going to wane off as time passes.
Therefore, if you have had taken the second dose of the vaccine more than six months ago, you might be more prone to catch the breakthrough infection.
A variant of the virus sure does play a crucial role in defining your risk of contracting the breakthrough infection of COVID-19. Most of the studies that we currently have read had been conducted on the original form of the Coronavirus that hit the world back in December 2019.
The efficacy of most of the available vaccines drops when they are dealing with the Alpha variant of Coronavirus and when it comes to the delta variant, the efficacy drops even further. As the virus is expected to keep mutating in future too, the efficacy of the vaccines may drop even further, leaving us more vulnerable to breakthrough infection.
Also Read: Omicron vs Other Variants
The above-mentioned factors are based on a general study on a population, irrespective of the overall health of a particular person. It means that your level of protection against breakthrough infection also depends upon your overall health, how strong your immunity is and the other person-specific factors.
You may be more vulnerable to the breakthrough infection because you work in the healthcare sector where you stay more exposed to the virus or your age is over 50 years or you already suffer from a chronic ailment that has compromised your immune system, etc. These may be the contributing factors to your vulnerability.
Notably, all the countries had first vaccinated the people who were most vulnerable to the infection, which means that most of them took their second dose about 6-7 months back. Hence, their immunity against COVID-19 may have waned off by now putting them at risk again.
Despite the above-discussed risk factors, vaccines surely are our biggest weapon against COVID-19 disease. Even if they are unable to give 100 percent protection against breakthrough infection, they surely are keeping the chances of severe illness and hospitalisation at the lowest.
There are plenty of countries that are planning to start administering the third dose of the vaccine to provide sturdier protection against COVID-19. Initially, they are planning to administer the dose to the vulnerable groups and then move on to the entire population. This may become a norm in the months to come in every country.
The vaccines might be failing to prevent breakthrough infection in a few cases but they should not be interpreted in any way that these are not effective. The only way we can defeat COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated as soon as possible. When there would be fewer people getting infected, the virus would eventually disappear. Moreover, we should also ensure to keep all the risk enhancing factors in mind to prevent the spread of the virus.
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.
India’s vaccination drive for COVID-19 has been progressing steadily and as of September 2021, a sizable chunk of the population had received at least 1 dose. While this is good news, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done before we can be freed from the clutches of COVID-19.
In the midst of all this, it has come to light that there could be reasons for doubting the authenticity of the vaccines being administered in the country, namely Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V. Recent cases of fake COVID-19 Vaccines being sold in South-East Asia and Africa prompted the WHO to issue a warning regarding the circulation of counterfeit vaccines and the need to be able to identify them.
Now the Indian government has responded by issuing guidelines to help identify fake COVID-19 vaccines being used in the country.
As per WHO vaccination guidelines, checking the authenticity of the vaccine will help curb the spread of fake COVID-19 vaccines. The more vaccine awareness there is, the harder it is for fakes to get into the system. Covaxin can be easily identified by a few markers like:
Along with Covaxin, Covishield was the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved for use in India. Knowing the signs of the authentic Covishield vaccine will help to curb fake COVID-19 vaccines. There are several key ways to identify an authentic Covishield vaccine:
This Russian developed vaccine was approved after Covaxin and Covishield, it is being distributed in India through Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. Although Sputnik V is being produced by two Russian manufacturing sites, the labels will be identical in design and text except for the manufacturing centre’s name:
While fake pharmaceuticals are a bane in virtually every country, for now, the menace of fake vaccines for COVID-19 has been limited to just South-East Asia and Africa. Only a few stray incidents have been reported in India.
In some cases, the doctors and medical staff in charge of performing the vaccination may also benefit from knowing these subtle differences to provide an additional layer of safety to the general public. By the time the vaccine reaches you, it has passed through several qualified and trusted experts so the chances that you will end up with a fake vaccine in your system are very rare.
While counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines are something we need to be alert for, it isn’t likely to affect you if the concerned people do their job. Keep these signs of authentic vaccines in mind when you go in for your shot, but don’t expect that you will spot a fake since that remains unlikely at this point in time.
So what can you do to help the situation? It is important to get your vaccination (and all your pharmaceuticals) from authorized and trusted sources (government-recognized hospitals and vaccine centres). Do not fall for ‘cheaper’ vaccine promises and always check the latest news to keep your vaccine awareness up-to-date. If you notice shady, illegal or inauthentic distribution and sale by persons (or groups) claiming to provide a vaccine that is not approved by the government, report them to the authorities at the earliest. And if you happen to spot a consignment of Covaxin, Covishield or Sputnik vaccines that do not match the above descriptions, bring it to the attention of the police, the Health Ministry as well as any local hospital that is performing COVID-19 vaccinations. Be aware and stay safe!
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.
The SARS-CoV-2 or more popularly known as COVID-19, has caused one of the worst pandemics in the history of human civilization with a death toll exceeding more than 4 million worldwide (as per WHO reports). This virus has been mutating constantly and it has been documented that different people have been tested positive with different COVID variants. However, recent reports have found that there is now a possibility of coinfection from two different COVID-19 variants at the same time as well.
The first case of such a coinfection was discovered as early as November 2020 in southern Brazil. Researchers in Brazil had documented two patients, both in their 30s. These two patients had been infected with the P.2 (also known as the B.1.1.28) variant and one other Variant of Concern (VOC). This led to the new possibility of contracting two COVID strains at the same time. Co-infection cases caused leading researchers at Feevale University, Brazil to conclude that such combinations will generate variants more quickly which poses the risk of a higher transmissibility rate.
On 3rd March 2021, the most recent case of coinfection was documented when a woman was admitted to a hospital in Belgium and tested positive for the virus. The nonagenarian passed away within 5 days of hospitalisation and upon later inspection, scientists found that her respiratory samples had both the Alpha (B.1.1.7) and the Beta (B.1.351) COVID mutations. Both of these were VOCs since they were studied to be highly infectious and fatal.
Viruses usually have either DNA or RNA as genetic material that is needed for replication. The SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus but has already been shown to undergo a number of mutations so far. According to the records of the World Health Organization (WHO), there are at least 9 different COVID mutations that have been officially documented and classified under two categories. These are:
Coinfection usually occurs due to exposure to a large crowd with high chances of exposure to people infected with different COVID variants. However, scientists have also proposed that the virus can undergo a process known as recombination inside the body of the infected person. This can only happen when two viruses infect the same cell and end up exchanging and recombining their genetic material to create a newly mutated variant of the virus.
According to a report published in the online medical journal repository medrXiv, a Portuguese teenage girl who had been recovering from a previous COVID infection was found to be infected with another variant at the same time. This depicts the possibility that people who are recovering from COVID-19 may be at a higher risk of coinfection too. Scientists have also confirmed that people living in areas with lower vaccination rates are at greater risk. Moreover, old age, comorbidities and a compromised immune system continue to be factors of high risk even for COVID-19 coinfection.
Since RNA viruses like Hepatitis C and Influenza have been known to cause coinfections upon mutation, there is no reason why the same wouldn’t happen with COVID-19. Moreover, with the recent reports of the cases of coinfection, it is all the more reason to avoid large crowds and observe COVID-19 protocol at all public places.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the world in ways unimaginable. Starting from destabilizing all established institutions (healthcare, economic) to pushing everyone into a perpetual state of uncertainty, this highly unpredictable pandemic has made its deadly presence felt everywhere. Although the viral strain is constantly evolving, one thing has stayed certain for the most part; the elderly and those with underlying conditions are at greatest risk. It is important for everyone to be aware and vigilant about our health in order to avoid any serious illness.
It is crystal clear by now that the Novel Coronavirus has the potential to trigger a dangerous respiratory infection. It has been seen that people who earlier never experienced respiratory trouble also felt severe respiratory distress during a COVID-19 infection. In the event of your lungs not working in their highest capacity, your heart activity too will be affected because like all other organs, the heart also depend on the lungs for a fresh supply of oxygen. And in the absence of enough oxygen, it will have a hard time pumping oxygenated blood throughout your body. This inevitably puts a lot of pressure on your heart and other vital organs. And if you are someone with pre-existing heart disease, then your heart is already at risk of a more severe COVID infection. So, what should you know and do to safeguard your heart?
Let’s find out in this article how COVID affects the heart.
Actually people with heart disease when they get COVID are at increased risk of getting heart failure. COVID-19 infection has been linked to the development of HF via myocardial infarction, myocarditis, microthrombi, and stress cardiomyopathy. There are several potential mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 may lead to these conditions through direct viral or immune-mediated effects.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Heart patients with COVID need to understand that a Coronavirus infection can affect anyone but having a pre-existing heart condition means that your infection can be severe. According to a professor of cardiovascular medicine at UTHealth, Houston, many viruses (including SARS CoV-2) can even bring about heart attacks. The exact reason is still a subject of research, however, it has been proposed that the COVID-19 virus causes inflammation in the body. When a severe inflammation happens during COVID infection it may lead to the formation of blood clots which can block your blood vessels. If these clots form in the small blood vessels of your heart or travel to your heart a heart attack may occur. It has been observed that the coronavirus can also affect the muscular structure of the heart making it weak. It stands to reason that people already diagnosed with heart disorders are likely to experience a worsening of the ailment if they do not get proper treatment when they contract COVID.
COVID complications related to the heart must never be neglected and one should seek medical attention right away if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 or the warning signs associated with a heart attack or stroke. Immediate action can save lives.
Patients with heart stents should rest assured to get the Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible. If you have a problem, connect with the cardiologist who is treating you, There is no known heart condition where any particular COVID vaccine is preferred with some small exceptions.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
COVID treatment for a heart patient as well as a non-heart patient is almost the same. Your doctor will advise some tests to check for the risk of blood clots and may advise some medicines called blood thinners if needed. During your infection period, if at any point you feel severe chest pain, palpitation, shortness of breath or even episodes of fainting, it is imperative that you get yourself admitted to a hospital or nursing home at the earliest. The doctors there will determine what medications to put you on or carry out any procedure required to prevent the worsening of the condition.
There is no proven method of preventing COVID-19 induced myocarditis or arrhythmias (rapid or irregular heartbeat). The only way you can keep your heart safe and healthy is by following standard COVID safety protocols and seeking immediate treatment if you get an infection.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up the world in ways unimaginable. Starting from destabilizing all established institutions (healthcare, economic) to pushing everyone into a perpetual state of uncertainty, this highly unpredictable pandemic has made its deadly presence felt everywhere. Although the viral strain is constantly evolving, one thing has stayed certain for the most part; the elderly and those with underlying conditions are at greatest risk. It is important for everyone to be aware and vigilant about our health in order to avoid any serious illness.
It is crystal clear by now that the Novel Coronavirus has the potential to trigger a dangerous respiratory infection. It has been seen that people who earlier never experienced respiratory trouble also felt severe respiratory distress during a COVID-19 infection. In the event of your lungs not working in their highest capacity, your heart activity too will be affected because like all other organs, the heart also depends on the lungs for a fresh supply of oxygen. And in the absence of enough oxygen, it will have a hard time pumping oxygenated blood throughout your body. This inevitably puts a lot of pressure on your heart and other vital organs. And if you are someone with pre-existing heart disease, then your heart is already at risk of a more severe COVID infection. So, what should you know and do to safeguard your heart?
Let’s find out in this article how COVID affects the heart.
Heart patients with COVID need to understand that a Coronavirus infection can affect anyone but having a pre-existing heart condition means that your infection can be severe. According to a professor of cardiovascular medicine at UTHealth, Houston, many viruses (including SARS CoV-2) can even bring about heart attacks. The exact reason is still a subject of research, however, it has been proposed that the COVID-19 virus causes inflammation in the body. When a severe inflammation happens during COVID infection it may lead to the formation of blood clots which can block your blood vessels. If these clots form in the small blood vessels of your heart or travel to your heart a heart attack may occur. It has been observed that the coronavirus can also affect the muscular structure of the heart making it weak. It stands to reason that people already diagnosed with heart disorders are likely to experience a worsening of the ailment if they do not get proper treatment when they contract COVID.
COVID complications related to the heart must never be neglected and one should seek medical attention right away if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19 or the warning signs associated with a heart attack or stroke. Immediate action can save lives.
COVID treatment for a heart patient as well as a non-heart patient is almost the same. Your doctor will advise some tests to check for the risk of blood clots and may advise some medicines called blood thinners if needed. During your infection period, if at any point you feel severe chest pain, palpitation, shortness of breath or even episodes of fainting, it is imperative that you get yourself admitted to a hospital or nursing home at the earliest. The doctors there will determine what medications to put you on or carry out any procedure required to prevent the worsening of the condition.
There is no proven method of preventing COVID-19 induced arrhythmias (rapid or irregular heartbeat) or myocarditis.
What is myocarditis? Myocarditis means an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). The only way you can keep your heart safe and healthy is by following standard COVID safety protocols and seeking immediate treatment if you get an infection.
The COVID-19 virus is constantly mutating and so danger still persists. The relation between heart diseases and COVID keeps getting more complicated as it does with other health conditions. The only way you can keep yourself as well as your loved ones safe is by following heart-healthy habits, getting vaccinated and following safety protocols.
Also Read: Take Care of Your Heart: Foods To Avoid If You Have Heart Palpitations
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.
With the COVID-19 cases rising once again in many parts of the country, the speculations regarding the need for a booster vaccination dose against the virus have intensified. Everyone is concerned if they should get the third dose or not.
To make things even more intriguing, the United States has decided to administer their people with the third dose from September onwards. They have decided to inoculate the vulnerable group of people first with the third dose.
There are a few more countries thinking about administering the third dose to eliminate the possibility of another deadly wave of COVID-19.
As per the experts, India surely is going to need a booster dose in the later stages. The government, however, has maintained that the need for the third dose of the vaccine is being closely monitored.
A booster dose is administered to enhance the antibody levels in the body when they start lowering after a certain period of time following the second shot of the vaccine.
The director at the National Institute of Virology, Dr Priya Abraham recently explained that studies have been under process in several foreign countries on the requirement of booster shots and at least seven vaccines have already been tried out. In the days to come, the booster dose will surely become a recommendation for everyone.
The director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Dr Randeep Guleria has also pointed out that booster doses are definitely going to become a necessity looking at the mutating variants of the deadly virus. He also claimed that the immunity tends to fall as time passes. It happens because of waning immunity.
He said that it still has to be found out if a yearly dose would be required or not and if it would be mandatory for everyone or not.
On the other hand, European Medicines Agency has notified that it is too early to claim that there was any need for an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine, apart from the pre-defined two doses. It said that they were certain that the current regimen was sufficient for COVID-19 prevention.
Some other experts have suggested that the authorities around the world should focus more on the first round of vaccination as when enough people would be inoculated, the mutated versions of coronavirus would take time to pop up again.
Did you know?
Currently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is stopping the countries from going ahead with the third dose as there are plenty of poor countries where the inoculation rate is very alarming.
WHO has said that the high-income countries should not go ahead with the third dose administration drive till the low-income countries catch up with a healthy inoculation rate.
Moreover, WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan also highlighted recently that the data available right now does not suggest any need for a third dose for anyone.
On the other hand, the United States health officials have been claiming for a long time now that people might require a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccines just like they do for other vaccines.
Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) chairman Cyrus Poonawalla, recently revealed that he has already taken the third dose of the vaccine and also appealed to everyone, who have already completed their course of two vaccines, to go ahead and take the third dose once it has already been six months.
Furthermore, he said that he has already got about seven to eight thousand SII employees inoculated with the third dose.
According to the media reports, the results of trials of the third booster dose of Covaxin developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech and the National Institute of Virology, are expected to come by November 2021.
The booster dose of the “Made in India” vaccine was first introduced in May this year. It has been under trial ever since then at 12 different centres including AIIMS in Delhi and Patna.
The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) had granted permission to run clinical trials for the third dose of Covaxin back in April this year. The results of the first trials carried out in April are expected in August, while the result of the second trial is scheduled to arrive in November this year.
The results of these trials will define the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, safety and tolerability of the booster dose of Covaxin.
As far as Indian and US experts are concerned, they both seem to be on the same page in terms of the need for the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while WHO has something else to suggest. The government may soon take a decision on the issue as the cases of Delta plus variant are rapidly increasing in some parts of India and may spread across states very quickly.
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.
When people were hoping to develop herd immunity after enough people would have recovered from COVID-19 or got vaccinated against it, the head of the UK’s Oxford Vaccine Group has warned that it may never be possible.
The leader of Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine developer team, Professor Andrew Pollard, has claimed that nothing can eliminate the possibility of even more transmissible variants of Coronavirus. Therefore, we would never be able to put a full stop to the spread of the virus.
He, however, has also mentioned that there is nothing to “panic” while expressing his doubts over the third booster dose suggested by the government of the United Kingdom.
He clarified that the Delta variant is not in any way similar to measles, which could not spread in a community where 95 percent of the population has already been inoculated.
More points he highlighted are –
Professor Pollard’s views were supported by Paul Hunter who is also a professor at the University of East Anglia. Prof. Hunter is a very credible expert in infectious diseases. He was the same professor who first mentioned that the current vaccines are surely giving protection against severe COVID-19 infection and death but they cannot eliminate the possibility of infection entirely.
Describing herd immunity as “unachievable”, he said that that infection will keep spreading among the unvaccinated populations and also added that the latest data suggests that the two doses of the vaccines are only providing 50 percent of protection against infection.
Some experts believe that Professor Pollard’s doubts over the third dose are not relevant and the plan of UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid to administer the third booster shot along with a flu vaccine to those who are at a higher risk of getting infected is a smart choice. This has been proposed to be brought into action from September onwards.
Professor Pollard suggests that we may consider administering the third dose to vulnerable people if we see more hospitalisations or deaths among the vaccinated people.
While accepting that the level of immunity does drop after a certain period of time, he pointed out that our immune system still remembers the body getting vaccinated and this memory lasts for decades.
Hence, there is nothing to panic about at the moment. Raising another very important point, Professor Pollard said that these doses should be transported to those places of the world where people have not been vaccinated and where these can actually create a greater impact.
Fresh cases recorded on Monday – 32,937
Total deaths recorded on Monday – 417
No of doses administered – Over 55 crore
COVID hotspot in India – Karnataka, accounting for more than 50 percent of the total cases
Although we do not have the right resources as of yet to stop the spread of COVID-19, we surely do not need to panic and just have to adhere to the protocols established by your local authorities. We can only stop the spread and protect our loved ones if we abide by the rules. As suggested by the experts, the situation is going to get better with time.
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.
The whole world has somewhat understood that COVID-19 is not going to go anytime soon and that they have to find ways to live with it. People seem to be making peace with every problem the virus has caused, except one – the mutation of SARS-CoV-2.
From the virulent strain first found in Kent, Uk, to its much virulent mutated strain found in India, the various strains of the virus have wreaked havoc across the world. Currently, the world is grappling with the strain found in India, more popularly known as the Delta variant.
The confusion over the new strains is really obvious because even the experts have claimed that the current mutations may not be the most dangerous yet and that the battle is not over as of now. They have also suggested that the world might see more strains of the virus which would wreak more damage to the world.
Some experts have also suggested the world leaders, prepare plans to combat the new strains of Coronavirus that are emerging in different parts of the world constantly.
The most burning questions the world is facing right now are how much protection do the current vaccines offer, what makes these variants prop up, can vaccines fully protect us and how can we protect ourselves?
We have tried to cover all the questions here to solve your dilemmas. Have a look:
As per scientific research, a virus mutates or comes up with a new variant, whenever there is any kind of change in the genetic code of the current virus strain.
Coronavirus isn’t doing anything new as many viruses and pathogens tend to mutate on their own. However, there are some viruses like COVID-19, variants of which may be genetically distinct and cause very serious complications.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) viruses like SARC-CoV-2 are more prone to mutate than other viruses.
For instance, B.1.351 and B.1.1.7 variants were first found in the UK back in September 2020. These were two of the initial strains of coronavirus which even today are the most predominant form of the deadly virus in several countries, including India.
With every mutation, the virus sees some particular genetic changes which can potentially make the virus even more contagious and severe. For instance, the B.1.1.7 variant was found more contagious than others while the double mutant variant has been known for showing extremely severe complications. There are some variants of COVID-19 which affect the patient’s body in such a way that it starts showing different symptoms altogether.
The main reason for worry over the emergence of a particular strain of the virus is its ability to spread faster and the kind of attack it launches on the body of the infected. Notably, it is believed that virulent viruses are smarter than others as they have the ability to dodge some of the natural antibodies and cause severe damage to the patient’s body.
Interestingly, we must understand that not all the virus variants are as dangerous or cause severe damage as we have been discussing. The strains which are genetically traced or found to be variants of concern (VOCs) are believed to be more severe.
A big reason of concern for people has been the efficacy of currently available COVID-19 vaccines against the newly emerging virus strains, as they have the ability to surpass antibodies easily, making the vaccines rather ineffective.
Well, this is not entirely true. The new variants of SARC-CoV-2 may be smarter and severe than the previous ones but the vaccines we are taking may not become completely futile. A few lab-based studies have proven that the immune response triggered due to the vaccines consists of several components and even when they reduce, the vaccine response is not supposed to die entirely.
We surely are at a risk of facing future variants and mutations of the virus. Still, getting vaccinated and following the social distancing protocols set by the local authorities is the best we can do to protect ourselves. Hence everyone should get inoculated at the earliest.
Some studies have proven that a fully vaccinated person is at low risk of suffering from severe complications and dying. In some cases, the vaccinated person has recovered quicker than others. Moreover, to tackle the upcoming strains of the virus, some booster shots may be introduced in future.
Many scientists are suggesting, instead of fearing the upcoming strains of the COVID-19, we should prepare a plan of action to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe. Getting vaccinated is the best we can do right now to save the world. The new strains will keep coming, at least for the foreseeable future. Hence, we should not let our guard down against this war against the deadly virus.
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.
COVID-19 vaccines have a lot of controversies and questions surrounding them since the general public is still cautious on how to deal with the virus. An important question surrounding it is the interaction between the COVID vaccine and other drugs. Are there medicines that should be avoided when getting a vaccine or not?
Most studies conducted till now indicate that the COVID vaccine and other drugs don’t interact with each other to harm your health. Thus, any medicine, in particular (unless specified by your physician), does not need to be avoided. However, certain precautions must be taken with respect to certain medications to prevent any adverse side effects.
If you recently underwent an organ transplant surgery and are taking any immunosuppressive drugs, you should consult your physician before taking the vaccine. Ideally, your doctor will advise you to wait for some time after the surgery before getting your vaccine. Immunosuppressive drugs have the possibility of decreasing vaccine efficacy. The vaccine works by triggering a response from the immune system in order to produce antibodies against the COVID-19 virus. Immunosuppressive medications can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine as they suppress the immune system. If you are taking immunosuppressive drugs you should still go and get vaccinated. The efficacy of the vaccine may be less for immunocompromised patients, however, it does provide protection against the virus. Getting the vaccine ensures more protection than what the body can offer you without vaccination at all.
Steroids also suppress the immune system of the body. If you are on long-term steroids they should be continued along with the COVID-19 vaccine. Your doctor can help you understand and modify the dose if needed. However, if you are planning on taking steroid injections it is recommended to postpone taking them (up to 2 weeks) till after you are done getting vaccinated.
People who are on regular medication for diabetes, blood pressure, hypothyroidism, heart conditions, kidney conditions, etc should not stop their medication if they are about to get vaccinated. However, those with heart conditions and bleeding diseases should first check the kind of anticoagulant they are currently taking before rushing off to get the vaccine. Consulting with your doctor would be ideal in this case.
A prevalent practice that has been observed is the consumption of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication before getting vaccinated. This is something that should be avoided, as taking anti-inflammatory medication will not provide any additional protection from the symptoms of your immune response. Taking these medicines before getting vaccinated can dull the immune response to the vaccine, which may reduce the vaccine effectiveness. It is ok if you take paracetamol to manage your symptoms after the COVID vaccine but it is not advisable to take any pain killer or other anti-inflammatory medicine before vaccination.
Yes. Patients taking drugs for comorbidities should get vaccinated at the earliest. Patients with comorbidities are at more risk if they contract the virus. People with diabetes or blood pressure can take the vaccine along with their ongoing medications. It is better to consult a physician before getting the vaccine as individual health needs and responses vary greatly.
COVID vaccine and other drugs do not interact negatively in general. It is safe to take the vaccine along with chronic drugs. Be mindful if you take immunosuppressive drugs or treatment for an autoimmune disorder, bleeding or clotting disorder, then ensure to consult a physician before getting vaccinated. Your doctor may advise a dose adjustment of some medicines if needed. By no means should you ever try to change the dosage or skip any of your ongoing medicines without consulting your doctor. Taking the vaccine should not be avoided even if you are taking medication. But certain precautionary measures are recommended such as discussing with your doctor. The vaccine minimises the chances of you contracting COVID-19. Always wear your masks, practice social distancing and adhere to the safety guidelines in your city.
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.
Monsoon, without a doubt, brings a lot of joy to the people suffering from the scorching heat of the summer but for a few people, who either are very serious about exercising or need to do some physical activity to stay healthy, do not find it very convenient.
The pleasant rainy weather not only prompts us to binge on ‘pakoras’ and ‘tea’ but also makes us too lazy to head to the gym. As going for a jog has also gone out of the window, keeping oneself physically active becomes a tricky business.
Well, it is not as tough as you think if you know the right options to exercise and burn enough calories without stepping out a single time throughout the day.
Below, we have suggested some of the ideas you can consider at your convenience to stay active during this rainy season. Have a look:
Jogging is one of the most meaningful and efficient exercises one can do. Well, it is not mandatory to step outside if you want to jog. As per the fitness experts, spot jogging is a perfect pre-workout exercise, as it warms up the body to carry out the rest of the regime without posing any threat to your muscles.
You just have to lift your knees and move them back to the ground. You should also move your hands in the same manner you do while running outside. It looks like you are running but at the same spot.
If you do this exercise for 30 minutes, you will burn about 215 calories.
Jumping Jacks includes hopping your feet out shoulder-width apart while you bring your arms above your head, then hopping your feet back together while you lower your arms to your sides. It is a full-body workout that targets the upper, lower, and core muscles.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Skipping is an ideal cardio exercise that you can consider for improving cardio-respiratory fitness, flexibility and coordination. As per the experts, skipping is one of the most effective high-impact exercises that helps the performer strengthen their bones. Moreover, it also helps in reducing weight from your thighs, hips and sides.
To do this exercise, you need a rope, rotate it in a circular motion and jump when it touches the ground. The smaller the jump the better it is for your knees and ankles. Jumping about an inch from the ground is considered ideal.
If you do this exercise for an hour, you will burn about 560 calories.
Strength training is also possible in the comfort of your home. You just have to purchase some dumbbells. The weight of the dumbbells should be the same or marginally higher than what you have already been lifting at the gym. You can also consider filling up some water bottles and doing strength training with them.
Every hour of such strength training done correctly may help you lose about 200 calories.
Start with what you can do whether it’s walking, riding a bike, or aerobic exercises, Don’t think you have to run a marathon or be an elite athlete, start it and just keep going no matter what.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
To do this exercise, you need to get into a pushup position, bend your arms and move down towards the floor. Now, you have to hold the same position with extended arms. Initially, you just have to hold the position for about 30 seconds. This exercise may seem very easy to pull, but is a challenging one and helps in toning your core muscles like abs, stabiliser muscles and back.
Doing it for an hour helps you lose about 350 calories.
As we all know, yoga is a spiritual form of exercising that helps you connect your body, spirit and mind. Apart from giving you a better understanding of your body, it improves your flexibility and provides peace of mind.
What makes it more convincing is that you can do it regularly without having to leave your home. As per the experts, trying out meditation, pranayama and Surya Namaskar are some of the best forms of yoga to keep yourself fit and healthy.
Monsoon may come with a few drawbacks for the fitness junkies but as we have mentioned above, there are plenty of ways you can keep yourself in the best shape and health even during this period with some home exercises. If you are a diabetes patient, it is advised to consult with your doctor before you make any alterations in your regime of physical activity.
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.
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