What are the risks of the covishield vaccine?
First check if you eligible to take covishield vaccine. If yes, then there are no such risks associated with covishield vaccine. Only there are some side effects.
What are the side effects of covishield vaccine?
There are three types of side effects-
i) Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)-
1. redness, itching, tenderness, pain, warmth, swelling or bruising at the injection site
2. generally feeling unwell
3. feeling tired( fatigue)
4. chills
5. feeling feverish
6. headache
7. joint pain or muscle ache
8. nausea
ii) Common side effects ( may affect up to 1 in 10 people)-
1. A lump at the injection site
2. fever
3. vomiting
4. diarrhea
5. flu-like symptoms such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills.
iii) Uncommon side effects ( may affect up to 1 in 100 people)-
1. feeling dizzy
2. decreased appetite
3. abdominal pain
4. enlarged lymph nodes
5. itchy skin or rash
6. excessive sweating
It is important to mention that these may not be all the possible side effects of the covishield vaccine. Serious, unexpected side effects may occur. You should immediately consult with your healthcare provider if any serious side effects occur.
Will the covishield vaccine can give a covid 19 infection?
No. The covishield vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2. So it can not give you a covid 19 infection.
What should you mention to your healthcare provider before you get the covishield vaccine?
Not only before covid vaccine shots, it is always best to mention all the details to the doctor. Specifically before vaccination, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including-
1. If you ever experienced a severe allergic reaction (also known as an anaphylactic reaction) after any drug, food, any vaccine or any ingredients of covishield vaccine.
2. If you have a fever.
3. If you have a bleeding disorder or you are on a blood thinner.
4. If you are Immunocompromised (having weak immunity)or you are under any medication that affects your immune system.
5. If you are carrying (that is who are already pregnant)
6. If you are breastfeeding mother
7. If you have already received another covid 19 vaccine.
You are advised to consult with your healthcare provider before deciding to take the vaccine.
Who should not get the covishield vaccine?
You should not get the covishield vaccine if
1. You experienced a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine.
2. People with hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the ingredients of this vaccine. People who experienced severe allergic reaction to any ingredients of this vaccine.
3. Patients who have a history of major blood clotting ( venous and/or arterial thrombosis) in combination with a low count of platelets ( that is thrombocytopenia) after the shot of any covid 19 vaccine.
Here it is important to mention that acutely unwell and hospitalized (with or without intensive care) patients due to any illness temporarily should not take a covid 19 vaccine.
Can people with comorbidities like Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Asthma, Cardiovascular Diseases receive the vaccine?
Covishield vaccine has been given in people with or without comorbidities in clinical trials. The safety of the covishield vaccine was comparable in those with or without comorbidities (such as Hypertension, Cardiovascular diseases, Asthma, Diabetes etc.). People who are clinically stable with their comorbidities can receive the vaccine. It is important to follow up with your doctor for a risk-benefit assessment based on your clinical condition before taking this covishield vaccine.
Can patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, Ankylosing spondylitis, SLE, Sickle cell disease, Any cancer or any other disease take covishield vaccine?
History of any disease is not a contraindication for getting this vaccine. It is still important to follow up with the doctor for a risk-benefit assessment based on the clinical condition before taking this vaccine.
Can patients with G6PD deficiency take covishield vaccine?
History of G6PD deficiency is not a contraindication for receiving this vaccine. But it is important to follow up with your doctor for a risk-benefit assessment based on clinical judgement before taking the vaccine.
Are people on antiplatelet anticoagulant therapy eligible to receive covishield vaccine?
History of antiplatelet, anticoagulant therapy or those who are currently ongoing this therapy can take this vaccine because these are not contraindications for receiving the vaccine.
But it is important to follow up with your doctor for a risk-benefit assessment based on clinical judgement before you take the vaccine.
As covishield is given through the intramuscular route, so this vaccine should be given with caution in people who have low platelet count( also called thrombocytopenia), any coagulation disorders, or those who are on anticoagulation therapy as bleeding or bruising may occur after the administration of this vaccine in these persons.
Can patients with any food or drug allergy (e.g. penicillin, sulfa, NSAID or any other drug) take covishield vaccine?
History of any food or drug allergy is not a contraindication to receive this vaccine. But covishield should not be given if you have hypersensitivity to the active substance or any type of ingredients of this vaccine mentioned above. It is important to follow up with your doctor for risk-benefit assessment based on your clinical condition before taking the vaccine.
Can patients receive immunosuppressant therapy take covishield vaccine?
If you have a history of receiving immunosuppressant, then you may receive the vaccine because it is not a contraindication to receive this vaccine. People who are receiving immunosuppressant therapy can have a weaker immune response for this vaccine than the person who has a stronger immune system or immunocompetent. You should follow up with your doctor for a risk-benefit assessment based on your clinical condition before taking this vaccine.
When should I expect adverse reactions to start? Till how many days after vaccination the adverse events should be monitored?
Mostly side effects of covishield occur on the vaccination day, commonly 6 to 8 hours later. The side effects go away within 2-3 days. Side effects beyond 5-7 days after vaccination are uncommon. The side effects are of short duration.
As per reports to date, adverse reactions are relatively less after the second dose of vaccine as compared to the first dose.
Are there any specific medicines to treat adverse events after covishield vaccine?
No. There is no such medicine. You should consult with a doctor who can give you treatment based on your clinical condition.
For fever or other side effects of vaccine such as headache, body pain, etc., paracetamol can be taken. Kindly consult with your doctor before taking any medicine to get relief from adverse reactions.
When can I take the first dose of covishield vaccine after developing Covid 19?
As per the guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare India, the covid 19 vaccine can be taken 3 months after recovery from covid 19 who have a proven lab test of SARS-2 covid illness.
Can women on their periods (menstruating) receive covishield vaccine?
There is no correlation between menstruation and the effect of any covid 19 vaccine.
It is a physiological phenomenon, and it does not impact immunity, so women on their periods can take this vaccine safely.
Is it necessary for a covid 19 recovered person to take the covishield vaccine? And if I had a COVID19 infection and was treated, then why I should receive the covishield vaccine?
Ans-Yes, you should receive the full dose of covid 19 vaccines if you have a past history of covid infection. Taking the vaccine will help you to develop a strong immune response against corona infection.
Duration of protection or development of immunity after exposure to COVID is not known to date, so it is recommended that you should receive a vaccine even after a covid infection. Wait for 4-8 weeks after you recover from the symptoms of covid before you receive the vaccine.
Are there any preventive measures and precautions that one needs to follow at the session site?
Yes, take rest at the vaccination centre for at least 30 minutes after taking the covid 19 vaccine. Continue all covid 19 preventive measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance for atleast 6 feet, using hand sanitiser etc.
What medication should be avoided before taking the covishield vaccine, and for how long?
It is advised to take regular medicines without interruption. Before covishield vaccination, you must follow all your normal medicine routine. Just inform the vaccinator about the medicine you take before your vaccination.
Is the covishield vaccine contraindicated in a person with chronic diseases?
Chronic diseases and comorbidities such as cardiac, pulmonary, renal, neurological, metabolic, malignancies, etc. can take the covishield vaccine. All covid 19 vaccines reduces the risk of severe covid 19 disease and death in persons with these comorbidities.
But it is always best to consult with your doctor about the risk and benefit assessment based on your clinical condition before taking the vaccine.
Should you avoid alcohol after receiving the COVID 19 vaccine?
As per reports to date, no evidence is there that alcohol impairs the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Do I require any test (such as CRP, BTCT, RTPCR etc.) before getting the vaccine?
No, there are no such recommendations.
If one miss second dose of covishield vaccine?
It is important to take the second dose of the covishield vaccine. If second dose of covishield vaccine is missed then it is best to consult with a doctor before any further step. If you forget to take your second dose of covishield vaccine at the scheduled time, ask your healthcare provider for advice. As depending on every individual body types, age and other parameters there are certainly many way outs.
May I take second dose of other vaccine after taking covishield first dose?
A person who has taken the first dose of the covishield vaccine should take the second dose only with the covishield vaccine. One should not take different vaccine in second dose of covid 19 vaccine.
Can people still get covid 19 even after receiving 2 doses of the vaccine?
Yes, no vaccine is 100 percent protective. After vaccination, people can still get covid 19. Vaccination will prevent the severe outcome of covid. When you are fully vaccinated, then also you need to continue all the protective measures of covid 19. The protective measures such as wearing a mask, maintaining a physical distance of at least 6 feet from others when outside your home, washing hands with soap and water for atleast 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser, etc.
Do I need to take both doses of covishield?
Yes, you need to take both doses of this vaccine to get optimum protection.
Do I need to take the first dose again if more than 12 weeks have passed after my first dose?
You do not need to repeat the first dose even if more than 12 weeks have passed after the first dose.
