India launched the world’s biggest vaccination drive with two ‘Made in India vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin- against the coronavirus disease which has claimed more than 1 lakh 50 thousand people in the country. Covishield is made by Serum Institute of India (SII) and Covaxin is manufactured by Bharat Biotech.
People who are immuno-compromised or on medication that affects their immune system should not take Covaxin, its developer Bharat Biotech advised on Monday through a factsheet. It also strongly urged the participants to disclose any allergies or other serious health-related issues to their vaccination officer.
Bharat Biotech said people with a history of allergies, have a fever, have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, are immuno-compromised or on medication that affects the immune system.
It also said, pregnant and. breastfeeding women too should avoid taking Covaxin. Those who are immune-compromised or on medication that affects the immune system, and those who have received another COVID-19 vaccine should also not take Bharat Biotech’s vaccine, the company said.
Bharat Biotech in the fact sheet said CDSCO has authorised restricted use of its vaccine under clinical trial mode.
“Individuals who are prioritised under the public health program[me] of the ministry of health and family welfare, will be covered under this endeavour. Informing the individuals about the offer for vaccination with Covaxin will rest with the respective government program[me] officials. Those offered Covaxin at pre-specified booths will have the options to receive or reject administration of the vaccine,” the fact sheet said.
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has been approved by 11 states for inoculation in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Out of the 11 states that have agreed to deploy the Covaxin, five are opposition-ruled.
In total, the Centre will procure 1.65 crore vaccines initially — 1.1 crore from SII and 55 lakh from Bharat Biotech. While Covishield will cost Rs 200 per jab for the government, Covaxin has been priced around Rs 206 per dose, as per health secretary Rajesh Bhushan.
