The indigenous vaccine, Covaxin’s drug maker Bharat Biotech has issued guidelines mentioning the groups of people who are advised against getting their shot administered.
The pharmaceutical giant said in its release that people who have a weak immune system or those who are ingesting medicines that lower the immunity should not take the Covaxin.
The factsheet, which was issued 2 days after the nation kickstarted its vaccination drive for the dreaded covid-19, warned that the vaccine could prove to be dangerous if taken by the individuals who are advised against it.
Previously, the Centre had approved the vaccines for immune system compromised patients as well, while highlighting that the efficacy of the vaccine would be lesser in their body. Generally, HIV positive individuals, cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy, and steroid-consuming people are immune-suppressed and are suggested not to take any vaccine.
Yesterday, the government gave the figure of 580 people reported with adverse reactions while 2 people died, one each in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. However, the Centre said that both the deaths were not linked to the vaccine.
Bharat Biotech’s announcement comes after India began administering the SII’s Covishield and Covaxin on Saturday as the government has approved these two for emergency use.
The pharma company’s notice listed the exceptions (people who shouldn’t take Covaxin) with people who have bleeding disorders or receive blood thinners, pregnant or breastfeeding women, febrile individuals, those who have any other serious health complication, and even recipients of another vaccine intended for covid-19.
Receivers of Covaxin are warned that they may experience a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine, resulting in difficulty in respiration, dizziness, and fatigue/weakness.
Individuals interested to take the vaccine are urged to provide all medical details to the person administering it along with the allergies they presently have and the medicines they are taking if any.
The general side-effects of the vaccine mentioned in the factsheet are pain, body ache, headache, weakness, rashes, swelling or itching where the recipient has been injected, fever, malaise, nausea, and vomiting.
Bharat Biotech said, “Additionally, there is a remote chance that the Covaxin could cause a severe allergic reaction. For this reason, your vaccination provider will ask you to stay for 30 minutes after each dose of vaccination at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination.”
Every person receiving the vaccine will also automatically become a part of the follow-ups that will be done for 3 months following the second dose.
“In case of any serious adverse events, vaccine recipients will be provided with a medically recognized standard of care in the government designated and authorized centers/hospital. The compensation for the serious adverse event will also be provided,” read the document.
An underlined paragraph of the factsheet says that the “clinical efficacy of Covaxin is yet to be established and it is still being studied in Phase 3 clinical trial. Hence, it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean that other precautions related to Covid-19 need not be followed.”
