Confused which vaccine is better? Here's detailed comparison between Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V

With a surge in Covid cases and Covid-related deaths in India, the country is deliberately trying to speed up its vaccination drive.

Sputnik V is the third Covid19 vaccine approved for use in India. Other two vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin are already in use. The Drugs Controller General of India has granted emergency authorization to the Russian vaccine Sputnik V and its import is in process.

As the world’s biggest vaccination drive is on its way, many questions surrounding the use, price, effectiveness and side effects go around in people’s minds. Here’s a detailed explanation about all three vaccines, so you can make a knowledgeable decision.

COVAXIN

It is India’s first domestically-developed anti-Covid vaccine. The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine made up of killed coronaviruses. Covaxin works by teaching the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

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Efficacy

The vaccine comprises two doses. According to the official website of mygov.in, the second dose of vaccine should be administered in the interval of 4 to 6 weeks from the date of administration of the first dose.

India’s indigenous anti-covid vaccine shows overall interim clinical efficacy of 78% to 100 %. It is 81% effective in preventing coronavirus infections.

Side effects

Covaxin has some side effects like- redness, swelling and pain at the injection site. The person who has taken Covaxin might experience fever, sweating or chills along with malaise and body ache. Besides, nausea, vomiting, itching and rashes, and headache are also some side-effects of Covaxin.

Price

The Center can procure Covaxin at Rs 150 per dose. Initially, the cost for the state governments was Rs 600. However, it was reduced to Rs 400. Private hospitals and healthcare centers can procure Covaxin at Rs 1,200 per dose.

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COVISHIELD

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India is made from the weakened version of a common cold virus called adenovirus found in chimpanzees.

Efficacy

The official website of mygov.in recommends interval of 4 to 8 weeks to administer the second jab. However, an interval of 6 to 8 weeks is suggested as it gives enhanced protection. You can yourself choose the date at your convenience.

The efficacy of Covishield varies with the duration between the first and second jab of the vaccine. It has overall efficacy of 70% but can be over 90% when administered as a half dose followed by a full dose a month later.

Side Effects

The side effects of Covishield are similar to Covaxin. Pain at the injection site, redness, moderate or high fever, drowsiness and lethargy, arm stiffness, and body ache and pain some of the common side effects.

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Price

Initially, the Serum Institute had launched the vaccine at Rs 150 for Centre, Rs 400 for state governments and Rs 600 for private hospitals and healthcare centers. Later the company reduced its price for the state government. Now, states can procure Covishield at Rs 300 per dose.

SPUTNIK V

The Russian vaccine shares its name with the world’s first artificial satellite made by Russia. The vaccine is a combination of two different adenoviruses-Ad26 and Ad5. The viruses that are known to cause the common cold are combined with SARS-Co-V2 for the treatment, prompting the body to make an immune response to it.

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Efficacy

Sputnik V has demonstrated an efficacy rate of 91.6 percent. The vaccines show a high response in curbing the coronavirus infection.

Side-effects

The side effects of Sputnik V include headache, fatigue, pain at the injection site and flu-like illness.

Price

Sputnik-V is priced at Rs 1,250 including administration charges. However, the vaccine is imported at Rs 948 per dose. Adding 5% GST, the cost of the vaccine is Rs 995.40 per dose.