As India entered fourth-day of its nationwide vaccination drive today, Covid-19 vaccine maker Bharat Biotech released a fact sheet explaining who should avoid taking Covaxin shots. Bharat Biotech’s fact sheet suggests those suffering from allergies, fever, or bleeding disorder, among other conditions to take advice from their doctors before receiving Covaxin jabs. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also not receive the jab. The fact sheet mentioned that hose who have received another Covid-19 vaccine already should also not take the vaccine.
“You should not get Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin if you have any history of allergies. Have a high fever. Have a bleeding disorder or are a blood thinner. Immune compromised or are medicine that affects your immune system. Are pregnant. Are breastfeeding. Have received another COVID-19 vaccine. Any other serious health-related issues, as determined by the vaccinator/ Officer supervising vaccination,” the fact sheet said. The fact sheet also asked people to inform the vaccinator or a supervising official about their medical condition before taking the vaccine.
The vaccine maker in the fact sheet on Covaxin, posted in its website, said: “The clinical efficacy of the vaccine is yet to be established and is being studied in Phase 3 clinical trial and hence it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean other precautions related to COVID- 19 need not be followed.”
Covaxin is a highly purified and inactivated two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology.
Who are eligible for Covaxin shots
“Individuals who are prioritised under the public health program of the ministry of health and family welfare will be covered under this endeavour. Informing the individuals about the offer for a vaccination with Covaxin will rest with the respective government program officials. Those offered Covaxin at pre-specified booths will have the options to receive or reject administration of the vaccine,” the document said.
Don’t take Covaxin in the following conditions:
- Have any allergies
- Have fever
- Have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- Are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
- Are pregnant
- Are breastfeeding
- Have received another Covid-19 vaccine
- Any other serious health-related issues, as determined by the vaccinator
Earlier this month, Serum Institute of India (SII) had also put out a fact sheet related to its Covid-19 vaccine Covishield… SII had said beneficiaries should disclose certain health information to doctors before taking its shot.
People who are severely allergic to any ingredient of COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covishield’ are advised not to take it, Serum Institute of India said. The ingredients of Covishield vaccine are “L-Histidine, L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Magnesium chloride hexahydrate, Polysorbate 80, Ethanol, Sucrose, Sodium chloride, Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA), Water for injection,” according to the fact sheet of Serum Institute said.
The fact sheet also says that if a person is pregnant or plans to become pregnant or is breastfeeding she should tell the healthcare provider before taking the jab.
The vaccine recipient should also mention to the healthcare provider if “you have received another COVID-19 vaccine,” Serum Institute said.
Who should not take Covishield vaccine
- If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any drug, food, any vaccine or
- any ingredients (see below) of Covishield vaccine
- If you have a fever
- If you have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- If you are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding
- If you have received another Covid-19 vaccine
India started its vaccination programme on 16 January. According to the Union health ministry, a total of 3,81,305 beneficiaries had been vaccinated for COVID-19 in the country till 5 pm on Monday and 580 adverse events following immunisation were reported.
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