During this breakthrough: Why Immunization is necessary.

 

What is Immunization (vaccination)?

Immunization is a basic, safe, and powerful method of securing individuals against harmful illnesses before they come into contact with them. It uses your body’s natural defences to make resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger.

Immunizations train your immune system to make antibodies, similarly to when it's presented to an illness. However, because Immunizations contain only killed or weakened forms of germs like viruses or microorganisms, they don't cause the sickness or put you in danger of its difficulties.

Most Immunizations are given by an infusion, yet some are given orally (by mouth) or sprayed into the nose.

What are the advantages of getting vaccinated?

The improved immunity because of the Immunization will effectively decrease life-threatening problems caused by the novel coronavirus and also deduct the number of hospitalizations. If one is adequately protected against the virus, one can also protect those around him/her, those with a compromised immune system and comorbidities, and the healthcare workers. This would, in turn, lead to bringing down the heap on the Indian healthcare system, which is now overburdened. 

Additionally, Immunization will ensure fewer deaths because of COVID-19 complications.

How does an Immunization work?

Immunizations work in various ways, depending on how they have been created. Globally, there have been 14 Immunizations approved by at least one administrative body that can be controlled to general society, while many are yet going preliminaries for approval.

Overall, an Immunization places in a part, or the entire of the target infection in the body, which is harmless enough to not cause fatality or severe infection but is potent enough to teach the immune system how to deal with it. Depending on which part of the virus is used to make the Immunization, COVID-19 Immunizations can be ordered as follows:

·      Inactivated Immunizations utilize a weakened variant of the entire virus, so it doesn't cause illness yet at the same time creates an immune response. E.g., Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

 

·      Protein-based Immunizations use chemically synthesized parts of proteins (called peptides) to mimic actual viral proteins that cause the COVID-19 infection to securely create an immune response. The Russian EpiVacCorona and the Chinese RBD-Dimer are two such Immunizations.

 

·      Viral vector Immunizations use a harmless ‘vector’ or a carrier virus that cannot cause severe disease by itself, but rather, acts as a carrier to deliver the genetic code of the novel COVID-19 virus in the body to generate an immune response once injected. The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield Immunization is an example.

 

·      Messenger RNA and DNA Immunizations use principles of genetic engineering to inject the viral genetic material (DNA/RNA) into the body that eventually codes for the viral protein, which prompts an immune response. The Pfizer and Moderna Immunizations approved for use in the USA are examples of mRNA Immunizations.

Common side effects that people can face post-Immunization

COVID-19 Immunizations are approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) only after demonstrated security and viability. While COVID-19 Immunizations have some results like:

 

1.      Mild fever

2.      Swelling

3.      Headache

4.      Nausea and dizziness

5.      Pain and distress

However, you may require immediate medical attention in case of severe side effects which include severe allergic reactions, any uncommon infection, seizures or any unexpected side effects. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must immediately report to your doctor so he/she can act on it at the earliest.

  

Covaxin vs Covishield vs Sputnik V – Which one is better?

Developer

 

Currently, two vaccines, Covaxin (developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech) and Covishield (developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India) are being administered in India. 

 

Russian vaccine, Sputnik V will also be administered soon. Sputnik V was developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute in Russia which is imported and sold in India by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories – has also been approved by the Indian drug regulator.

 

Type of Immunization

 

Covaxin is an inactivated Immunization, which has been prepared on a tried and tested platform of dead viruses.

This Immunization is developed with Whole-Virion Inactivated Vero Cell-derived technology. They contain inactivated viruses, which cannot infect a person but still can teach the immune system to prepare a defence mechanism against the active virus.

 

Covishield & Sputnik V is a viral vector Immunization platform that is a different technology.

A chimpanzee adenovirus – ChAdOx1 – has been modified to enable it to carry the COVID-19 spike protein into the cells of humans. Well, this cold virus is incapable of infecting the receiver but can very well teach the immune system to prepare a mechanism against such viruses.

The exact technology was used to prepare Immunizations for viruses like Ebola.

Doses

 

There is no difference between the three Immunizations in terms of dosage. Both of them follow a two-dose regimen,

Covishield administered in two doses given between four and 12 weeks.

Covaxin administered in two doses are given between four and 8 weeks.

Sputnik V administered in two doses given within 21 days.

 

Storage Guidelines

 

Covishield, Covaxin & Sputnik V can be stored at 2-8 degrees Centigrade, which is a household refrigerator temperature. This makes the Immunizations most suited for Indian conditions as most of the Immunizations here are kept at the same temperature range. This also makes the transportation and storage of both Immunizations easier.

Mode of administration

 

All three SputnikV, Covaxin and Covishield are intramuscular Immunizations.

What to do before getting the COVID-19 Immunization?

·         Register yourself for COVID-19 Immunization on Co-WIN portal Aarogya Setu app, or Umang app.

·         Do not take the Immunization on an empty stomach. Eat well as you go for your Immunization dose.

·         Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

·         Avoid excess alcohol intake as it may dehydrate you.

·         Be prepared to take any Immunization available at the centre at the given time.

·         Wear a sleeveless or short-sleeved shirt or dress to facilitate getting the injection on your arm.

·         Carry the ID you used for registration. Visit the centre wearing a mask and maintain physical distance.

What to do after getting the COVID-19 Immunization?

·         After Immunization, stay seated at the Immunization centre for 15-30 minutes. Health workers will monitor you for immediate reactions. Report if you feel dizzy or have nausea, vomiting, or any allergic reaction.

·         Drink plenty of fluids and keep your body hydrated after the Immunization dose.

·         Avoid consuming alcohol or smoking.

·         Swing your vaccinated arm to calm the inflammation.

·         Be prepared for some minor side effects.

·         Take paracetamol if you have any of the above symptoms.