The second phase of vaccination drive has begun against the coronavirus throughout the country. People aged above 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities are being given priority as the drive began on Monday. The government of India said that more than 25 lakh people registered for getting the jab on the first day on CoWin portal.

With the start of the next phase of inoculation drive, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu took the first jab on Monday. PM Modi took the shot of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, India’s homegrown vaccine which has been linked to hesitancy as its clinical trial results are not out yet, he sent a message to the fellow citizens that the drug is safe for use.

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On the other hand, Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, which is another alternative being used in the vaccination drive. The government has cleared that both the vaccines are safe but come with some side-effects. Both the companies have given a detail of the possible adverse events in fact-sheets on their websites. 

Covaxin:

People who have any history of allergies, fever, bleeding disorders or those who are on a blood thinner, have a compromised immune system, or take medicines which effect your immunity, have taken another COVID-19 vaccine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have any other serious health related issues as determined by the officer during vaccination must not take Covaxin.

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Side-effects of Covaxin: 

The mild side-effects might include injection site- pain, swelling, redness, itching, stiffness in the upper arm, sore hands, body ache, fever, headache, weakness, rashes, nausea and vomiting. 

There is a slim chance that the vaccine can even cause severe allergic reaction. It might include difficulty in breathing, swelling of face and throat, increase in heart-beat, rashes all over the body, weakness and dizziness.

Covishield: 

The company said that those who have ever had severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any drug, food, vaccine must avoid the drug. Those who have bleeding disorder and are on a blood thinner, have a compromised immune system, fever must also not take the vaccine. Pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding should also avoid the vaccine. People who have taken another COVID-19 vaccine must also avoid the drug. 

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Side-effects of Covishield:

Common side-effects mentioned by the Serum Institue of India on their website: Tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swelling or bruising where the injection is given, generally feeling unwell, feeling tired (fatigue) chills or feeling feverish, headache, feeling sick (nausea), joint pain or muscle ache, a lump at the injection site, fever, being sick (vomiting), flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills.

There are some uncommon side-effects as well like feeling dizzy, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, enlarged lymph nodes, excessive sweating, itchy skin or rash. The company has also warned of serious side-effects that might occur.