01. Covishiled vs Covaxin: Comparing the two
After months-long wait, India, the country which is second most impacted by COVID-19 has secured approvals for two homegrown vaccines on an emergency basis- Covaxin and Covishield.
The news, which came with the start of 2021 could see inoculation start as early as next week, with vaccine makers promising to supply doses and most states having practised a dry run as well.
02. Can we expect COVID-19 vaccination to start in India soon?
Not only has more than one vaccine given the go-ahead for use, but the availability of two innovative and affordable vaccines will also pave the way for easier vaccination in the first phase, which will involve healthcare and essential workers, and in the long run, billion of others at risk.
Having a made in India vaccine is also likely to cover up the hurdles associated with the internationally popular vaccines right now-Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V.
As we start 2021 on a happier note, we give you a low down of the two frontrunner Indian-made vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield.
03. How has the approval been granted?
Both the vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin have been granted approvals on an emergent basis- seeing the crisis at large, in a fashion which has been practised by other countries as well. According to Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai & Member of Maharashtra’s COVID-19 task force, the approvals are absolutely safe and taken in the interest of the people's well-being.
“The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has formally approved Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and the Serum Institute of India's Covishield for restricted use in the country. The approval by the DCGI was given on the basis of recommendations submitted by a COVID-19 Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This is a big progressive step in the journey towards making India COVID-19
04 Who is making the vaccines?
While Covishield is originally developed by Oxford University-Astrazeneca, it has been produced and marketed as 'Covisheild' by Pune-based vaccine conglomerate, Serum Institute of India (SII). Phase II and III testing of the vaccine was carried across 17 centres in India, with the last leg wrapped up in early December.
Meanwhile, Covaxin is India's first fully-developed and produced COVID-19 vaccine, made by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. It is also one of the fastest vaccines to have been approved, faster than even Pfizer's make. After securing early clinical nods, Covaxin head to trials in July and received emergency use authorisation after the end of phase II trials, which was also conducted pan India and also saw heavy participation from the masses.
05 Mode of development
Unlike the global frontrunners, Pfizer and Moderna, which rely on an mRNA technology, both the Indian vaccines in limelight are traditional in approach.
Covishield or AZD-1222 makes use of a viral vector made using a weakened strain of the common cold virus (adenovirus), which contains genetic material similar to that of SARS-COV-2. Upon administration, the body's defences recognize the spike protein and prepare antibodies to evade out the infection.
Similarly, Covaxin is made using an inactive version of the virus- i.e., the vaccine inactivates the virus's ability to replicate but sustains its life so that the immune system could mount a sufficient response when it comes in contact or recognizes an attack on the body in the future.
Inactive vaccines have been used by a lot of vaccine makers and have been used since years to fight out viruses and pathogens- meaning that to an extent, inactive vaccines are safer and reliable.
06 Efficacy
As per the latest observational studies, both Covaxin and Covishield are very effective in rooting out the virus, having shown good results in exhaustive clinical trials.
While global trials pegged Oxford 'Covishield' vaccine to be at least 70.42 % effective (with a two-dose regime promising higher efficacy rate), no data is yet available for Covishield, which raises some flags.
Covishield, however, is still in the third leg of its trial involving 22,0000+ candidates, with more data expected in the coming weeks. However, as per principal investigators, the vaccine has been found to be effective, spike antibodies and fulfil the purpose of vaccination against COVID-19 in varied age-groups.
07 Are there any side-effects?
The emergence of certain unpleasant side-effects has marred the potential of international vaccines. Many have reported allergies, and other adverse reactions have also been reported.
However, Indian medical authorities opine that in comparison to Moderna and Pfizer, both the recently approved vaccines are safer and side-effect free.
Dr Pandit, adds, “The vaccines have been certified 100% safe, however, some side effects like mild fever, pain and allergy are common for every vaccine, so do not worry and get your vaccine shot. Most importantly, do not believe in rumours; if in doubt talk to your doctor."
However, some are dismissive of Covishield’s benefits, citing the observation of certain complications in recent months- including one in India.
08 How much will they cost?
Not only do recent developments take India an edge above, but it also paves way for economical and affordable vaccines to be made available. While authorities have announced plans of free vaccination for priority groups in the first phase, both the vaccines are also cheaper in comparison to competitors.
While a shot of Covishield is likely to cost Rs.250-400 (or cheaper, in collaboration with COVAX), Bharat Biotech's vaccine model could cost lesser than Rs. 200, if experts are to be believed. No final word on the costing of Covaxin has been received as well.
It should also be noted that since both the vaccines have been domestically manufactured and do not require special storage, the prices could further come down, depending on the vaccination schedule and needs.
After months-long wait, India, the country which is second most impacted by COVID-19 has secured approvals for two homegrown vaccines on an emergency basis- Covaxin and Covishield.
The news, which came with the start of 2021 could see inoculation start as early as next week, with vaccine makers promising to supply doses and most states having practised a dry run as well.
02. Can we expect COVID-19 vaccination to start in India soon?
Not only has more than one vaccine given the go-ahead for use, but the availability of two innovative and affordable vaccines will also pave the way for easier vaccination in the first phase, which will involve healthcare and essential workers, and in the long run, billion of others at risk.
Having a made in India vaccine is also likely to cover up the hurdles associated with the internationally popular vaccines right now-Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V.
As we start 2021 on a happier note, we give you a low down of the two frontrunner Indian-made vaccines, Covaxin and Covishield.
03. How has the approval been granted?
Both the vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin have been granted approvals on an emergent basis- seeing the crisis at large, in a fashion which has been practised by other countries as well. According to Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai & Member of Maharashtra’s COVID-19 task force, the approvals are absolutely safe and taken in the interest of the people's well-being.
“The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has formally approved Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and the Serum Institute of India's Covishield for restricted use in the country. The approval by the DCGI was given on the basis of recommendations submitted by a COVID-19 Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This is a big progressive step in the journey towards making India COVID-19
04 Who is making the vaccines?
While Covishield is originally developed by Oxford University-Astrazeneca, it has been produced and marketed as 'Covisheild' by Pune-based vaccine conglomerate, Serum Institute of India (SII). Phase II and III testing of the vaccine was carried across 17 centres in India, with the last leg wrapped up in early December.
Meanwhile, Covaxin is India's first fully-developed and produced COVID-19 vaccine, made by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. It is also one of the fastest vaccines to have been approved, faster than even Pfizer's make. After securing early clinical nods, Covaxin head to trials in July and received emergency use authorisation after the end of phase II trials, which was also conducted pan India and also saw heavy participation from the masses.
05 Mode of development
Unlike the global frontrunners, Pfizer and Moderna, which rely on an mRNA technology, both the Indian vaccines in limelight are traditional in approach.
Covishield or AZD-1222 makes use of a viral vector made using a weakened strain of the common cold virus (adenovirus), which contains genetic material similar to that of SARS-COV-2. Upon administration, the body's defences recognize the spike protein and prepare antibodies to evade out the infection.
Similarly, Covaxin is made using an inactive version of the virus- i.e., the vaccine inactivates the virus's ability to replicate but sustains its life so that the immune system could mount a sufficient response when it comes in contact or recognizes an attack on the body in the future.
Inactive vaccines have been used by a lot of vaccine makers and have been used since years to fight out viruses and pathogens- meaning that to an extent, inactive vaccines are safer and reliable.
06 Efficacy
As per the latest observational studies, both Covaxin and Covishield are very effective in rooting out the virus, having shown good results in exhaustive clinical trials.
While global trials pegged Oxford 'Covishield' vaccine to be at least 70.42 % effective (with a two-dose regime promising higher efficacy rate), no data is yet available for Covishield, which raises some flags.
Covishield, however, is still in the third leg of its trial involving 22,0000+ candidates, with more data expected in the coming weeks. However, as per principal investigators, the vaccine has been found to be effective, spike antibodies and fulfil the purpose of vaccination against COVID-19 in varied age-groups.
07 Are there any side-effects?
The emergence of certain unpleasant side-effects has marred the potential of international vaccines. Many have reported allergies, and other adverse reactions have also been reported.
However, Indian medical authorities opine that in comparison to Moderna and Pfizer, both the recently approved vaccines are safer and side-effect free.
Dr Pandit, adds, “The vaccines have been certified 100% safe, however, some side effects like mild fever, pain and allergy are common for every vaccine, so do not worry and get your vaccine shot. Most importantly, do not believe in rumours; if in doubt talk to your doctor."
However, some are dismissive of Covishield’s benefits, citing the observation of certain complications in recent months- including one in India.
08 How much will they cost?
Not only do recent developments take India an edge above, but it also paves way for economical and affordable vaccines to be made available. While authorities have announced plans of free vaccination for priority groups in the first phase, both the vaccines are also cheaper in comparison to competitors.
While a shot of Covishield is likely to cost Rs.250-400 (or cheaper, in collaboration with COVAX), Bharat Biotech's vaccine model could cost lesser than Rs. 200, if experts are to be believed. No final word on the costing of Covaxin has been received as well.
It should also be noted that since both the vaccines have been domestically manufactured and do not require special storage, the prices could further come down, depending on the vaccination schedule and needs.
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