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 emergencyauthorization 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 detailedexplanation 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. Covaxinworks by teaching the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
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 administrationof 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 bodyache. 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 canprocure Covaxin at Rs 1,200 per dose.
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. Youcan 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 followedby 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 ofthe common side effects.
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 reducedits 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 virusesthat 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.
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.