Bharat Biotech releases fact sheet for administration of Covaxin

NEW DELHI: The Government of India had approved two made-in-India vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech respectively for the world’s biggest vaccination drive. Few days after starting mass inoculation against COVID-19 in India, Bharat Biotech has released a factsheet about the process involved in vaccination and who should avoid taking the vaccine.

The fact sheet posted on the website of Bharat Biotech listed side effects that a person may experience after getting administered with the vaccine. The side effects include pain, swelling or itching, fever, malaise, weakness, rashes, nausea and vomiting. Recipients have also been warned of severe allergic reaction that may include difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face and throat, fast heart-beat, rashes all over the body, dizziness and weakness.

The sheet also advices people to not take the vaccine shot if they have allergies, fever, bleeding disorder, weak immunity, or are on medication that affects their immune system. According to the fact sheet, pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid taking Covaxin. The company established that those who have received another COVID-19 vaccine should also not get Bharat Biotech’s medicine/vaccine.

According to data from the Centre, a total of 3,81,305 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in cumulative 7,704 sessions. According to data from the Government India, at least 580 persons have reported Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), with majority complaining of fever, headache and nausea. However, no case of serious or severe AEFI has been attributed to vaccination till date.