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.
Meanwhile, the Niti Aayog member Dr. VK Paul on May 13 outlined the central government's plan which involved eight Covid19 vaccines that will help authorities to administer the vaccination of all citizens by the end of 2021.
The government authorities are trying to increase the manufacturing of anti-covid vaccines amid the shortage. It has given emergency use approval to Biological E Zydus Cadila, SII for Novavax, Bharat Biotech’s nasal vaccine, Gennova and Sputnik V.
However, for the time being, there are only three options available- Russia’s Sputnik V, Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine-Covishiled and Covaxin.
Also Read: Sputnik V vaccine 1st dose administered in Hyd, per shot priced Rs 995
The three approved vaccines are assuredly effective in fighting the novel coronavirus but hold a noteworthy difference in efficacy, immunity and side effects.
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.
Sputnik V is proved to have a 91.6% efficacy rate and high response in curbing down the severity of coronavirus.
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.
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. The vaccine costs rs 400 per dose to states and rs 600 per dose to private hospitals.
Covaxin
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.
It shows a 78% efficacy in the second interim analysis and 100 percent against severe Covid19 infection. Covaxin costs Rs 600 per dose for states and Rs 1200 per dose to private hospitals.