Now with the start of Covid 19 vaccination across the country with 2 types of vaccine namely Covishield (by Serum Institute) and Covaxine (by Bharat Biotech). Yesterday was in 19fact 3rd day of immunisation, and there have been different stories in the media regarding the side effects of the two vaccines which included nausea, illness, uneasiness and in some cases death also. These types of news are playing on people’s mind and many who have been listed to take the vaccination are not turning up at health centres to get the jab of vaccine.
Just the day before the rollout of vaccine on 16th Jan, the central govt has issued guidelines to states on using Covishield and Covaxine, the 2 vaccines that will be administrated in first phase. In this guidelines, it has also been mentioned about
“ Who is not eligible to be administrated the Covid 19 Vaccine”
- Those below the age of 18 are not allowed to receive the vaccine.
- Pregnant and lactating mothers.
- Those with allergic reaction to vaccines, pharmaceutical products, notable food allergies.
- Anyone who had an adverse reaction to Covid 19 vaccines during trial stage
“ Who are the people who are temporarily not eligible to get Covid 19 vaccine”
- Person showing active symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
- Covid 19 patients who have been given anti SARS-Cov-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.
- Acutely unwell and hospitalised patients (with or without intensive care) due to any illness.
The vaccine should be given with caution to persons with a history of any bleeding or coagulation disorder-platelet disorder, clotting factor deficiency or coagulopathy.
I am not aware whether all the state govts checked about the above medical conditions before administrating the vaccine. Luckily during this phase only medical and para medical persons are being administrated the vaccine, and hopefully they should be aware of these limitations of the vaccine before the vaccine, otherwise side effects are bound to occur.
Actually when the times comes for non medical people to be administrated this vaccine, before that these above mentioned symptoms/conditions should be widely publicise by all the govts in their respective areas.
Now the Bharat Biotech manufacturer of Covaxine, has also issued advised that people who are immuno-compromised or on medication that affect the immune system, not to take the vaccine shot.
In a detailed factsheet, the company advised people with people with bleeding disorders who are on blood thinners to avoid taking the vaccine. It also asked those suffering from acute illness, having fever, or any history of allergy, besides pregnant or lactating mothers, to not take the jab.
According to the factsheet released by the company, if any recipient developed COVID-19 symptoms, it should be recorded as an adverse event with RT-PCR test result as proof.
{Now what is RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. It is test to check Covid 19 infections. It is the most effective test to detect Covid 19 virus in human cells. It is a swab test, which can be either taken from throat (oropharyngeal) or from nasal area (nasopharyngeal).}
Earlier, the government had said that those on immuno-suppressants or suffering from immune deficiency could take the vaccine, though the response was expected to be less effective in such patients. Immune-suppressed patients are usually those who are suffering from HIV, cancer patients on chemotherapy and also those who are on steroids.
In the consent form to be signed by vaccine recipients of Covaxine, it says “ In case of any adverse reactions or serious adverse reaction, the recipients will be provided medically recognised standard of care in the govt designated and authorised centres/hospitals. In the consent form it is written that “ The compensation for serious adverse events (SAE) will be paid by the Bharat Biotech, in case the SAE is proven to be casually related to vaccine.”
The assurance by the company is very vague, in the case SAE it implies that patients or their relative will have to get the proof of SAE, knowing how the medical system works in our country will be a difficult proposition.
In the end let us hope so, every thing will go smoothly and there will be less numbers of SAEs.
Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
19th January 2021
R. N. Mungale.
I agree.