Coronavirus FAQs: Symptoms, prevention and all you should know | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Phase 3 of the Covid vaccination drive covering 27 crore people above the age of 60 years and those above 45 with comorbidities started on Monday.
As many as 2,08,791 doses of Covid vaccine have administered to people above 60 years of age and the 45+ population with comorbidities, taking the total doses administered so far to 1,48,55,073, the health ministry informed.
The government on Tuesday released answers to questions on coronavirus vaccination drive.
Here are all the vaccine-related queries answered:
What is the dose schedule of both vaccines?
As per the permission granted by the Drug Controller General (India), for Covisheild the second dose is to be administered 4-6 weeks after the first dose and Covaxin is to be administered in two doses interval of day 0 & day 28.
Do I have a choice of vaccine I will receive?
The vaccine will be supplied to various parts of India as per availability and distribution plan, beneficiaries load and so at present the option of choice of vaccine is not available.
Which vaccine is better between Covishield and Covaxin?
There is no head-to-head comparison done between the two vaccines being used in India so one cannot choose one over the another. Both would work fine in preventing the infection as well as prevent a person from going into severe state of the disease. As a long-term effect, it would be preventing death for elderly people or those who have co-morbidities.
I had Covid infection and was treated, why should I receive the vaccine?
Development of immunity or duration of protection after Covid-19 exposure is not established therefore it is recommended to receive vaccine dose even after Covid-19 infection. Wait for 4-8 weeks after recovery from Covid symptoms before getting the vaccine.
In how many days will the vaccination create an adequate immune response and protection?
Adequate immune response takes 2-3 weeks after completion of the entire vaccination schedule ie after the second dose of Covishield and Covaxin.
If I suffer from HTN/DM/CKD/heart disease/lipid disorders etc, can I safely take this vaccine?
Overall, the vaccine is safe and efficacious in adults with comorbidity. The maximum benefit of getting the Covid vaccine is for those who have such co-morbidities. However, if you are concerned for any specific reason, please consult your doctor.
The health ministry has advised caution in vaccinating persons with a history of bleeding or coagulation disorder. How does a person know if he/she has a coagulation disorder? What tests can be conducted?
There are a few bleeding disorders like ‘haemophilia’. These persons should take the vaccine under the supervision of their treating physician. Patients who are admitted in hospital or ICU and have bleeding problems should delay the vaccination till they are discharged. However, several people with heart and brain disorders are on blood thinners like aspirin and antiplatelet drugs. They can continue with their medicines and have the vaccines. For them, vaccines are absolutely safe.
What precautions do I need to take after receiving the vaccine?
Both the vaccines are safe but in case of any discomfort or complaint, ask the beneficiary to visit the nearest health facility and/or call the health worker whose phone number is given in the COWIN SMS received after vaccination.
What medications should be avoided before taking the Covid-19 vaccine and for how long?
Currently, there is no such instruction. One can take one’s regular medication uninterruptedly. Just inform the vaccinator about the medicines you consume.
Is it important for me to receive the same vaccine during the second dose?
As the vaccines available are not interchangeable, it is important to receive the second dose of same vaccine as the first one. The Co-Win app is also going to help to ensure that everyone receives the same vaccine.
How long I will remain protected?
The duration of protection is yet to be established.
Will this require any repeated vaccination or booster dose after the 2nd dose in future?
The requirement of booster dose is yet to be determined.
As many as 2,08,791 doses of Covid vaccine have administered to people above 60 years of age and the 45+ population with comorbidities, taking the total doses administered so far to 1,48,55,073, the health ministry informed.
The government on Tuesday released answers to questions on coronavirus vaccination drive.
Here are all the vaccine-related queries answered:
What is the dose schedule of both vaccines?
As per the permission granted by the Drug Controller General (India), for Covisheild the second dose is to be administered 4-6 weeks after the first dose and Covaxin is to be administered in two doses interval of day 0 & day 28.
Do I have a choice of vaccine I will receive?
The vaccine will be supplied to various parts of India as per availability and distribution plan, beneficiaries load and so at present the option of choice of vaccine is not available.
Which vaccine is better between Covishield and Covaxin?
There is no head-to-head comparison done between the two vaccines being used in India so one cannot choose one over the another. Both would work fine in preventing the infection as well as prevent a person from going into severe state of the disease. As a long-term effect, it would be preventing death for elderly people or those who have co-morbidities.
I had Covid infection and was treated, why should I receive the vaccine?
Development of immunity or duration of protection after Covid-19 exposure is not established therefore it is recommended to receive vaccine dose even after Covid-19 infection. Wait for 4-8 weeks after recovery from Covid symptoms before getting the vaccine.
In how many days will the vaccination create an adequate immune response and protection?
Adequate immune response takes 2-3 weeks after completion of the entire vaccination schedule ie after the second dose of Covishield and Covaxin.
If I suffer from HTN/DM/CKD/heart disease/lipid disorders etc, can I safely take this vaccine?
Overall, the vaccine is safe and efficacious in adults with comorbidity. The maximum benefit of getting the Covid vaccine is for those who have such co-morbidities. However, if you are concerned for any specific reason, please consult your doctor.
The health ministry has advised caution in vaccinating persons with a history of bleeding or coagulation disorder. How does a person know if he/she has a coagulation disorder? What tests can be conducted?
There are a few bleeding disorders like ‘haemophilia’. These persons should take the vaccine under the supervision of their treating physician. Patients who are admitted in hospital or ICU and have bleeding problems should delay the vaccination till they are discharged. However, several people with heart and brain disorders are on blood thinners like aspirin and antiplatelet drugs. They can continue with their medicines and have the vaccines. For them, vaccines are absolutely safe.
What precautions do I need to take after receiving the vaccine?
Both the vaccines are safe but in case of any discomfort or complaint, ask the beneficiary to visit the nearest health facility and/or call the health worker whose phone number is given in the COWIN SMS received after vaccination.
What medications should be avoided before taking the Covid-19 vaccine and for how long?
Currently, there is no such instruction. One can take one’s regular medication uninterruptedly. Just inform the vaccinator about the medicines you consume.
Is it important for me to receive the same vaccine during the second dose?
As the vaccines available are not interchangeable, it is important to receive the second dose of same vaccine as the first one. The Co-Win app is also going to help to ensure that everyone receives the same vaccine.
How long I will remain protected?
The duration of protection is yet to be established.
Will this require any repeated vaccination or booster dose after the 2nd dose in future?
The requirement of booster dose is yet to be determined.
