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Currently Vaccination are being done at ~ 3 Lakh per day. Ratio is 9:1 for Covishield : Covaxin. Hence Covaxin is indeed being used as a "back up" in a way
Why? Because Covaxin can be used only at bigger centres ,which r equipped to give Covaxin in Clinical Trial Mode(monitor)
Why? Because Covaxin can be used only at bigger centres ,which r equipped to give Covaxin in Clinical Trial Mode(monitor)
So, If you work at a smaller centre/Hospital . Most likely you will be receiving Covishield.
Also important to remember given the news of side effects reported ,most of these are post Covishield Vaccination (given 10:1 ratio in favour of Covishield) .
Also important to remember given the news of side effects reported ,most of these are post Covishield Vaccination (given 10:1 ratio in favour of Covishield) .
In the field there have been multiple anecdotes , Covishield is more reactogenic (spontaneously remitting fever,pain ) than Covaxin which is concordant with higher local side effect profile of Covishield in Phase 2-3 trials as well.
In this context, important to ask Why Covaxin advisories are more restricted regarding eligible Candidates than actual Clinical trial exclusion criteria.
Even Covishield has put Doctors as a hedge.
It is important to rememer in West Vaccines don't have these exclusion criteria. Eg. In UK Allergy isn't a contraindication for Astra-Zeneca Vaccine(Anaphylaxis is), Blood thinners(Anticoagulation) aren't a Contraindication for the intramuscular injection https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-covid-19-vaccines-in-patients-with-anticoagulation-and-bleeding-disorders/
HIV (immunocompromised condition)isn't a contraindication. (as both Vaccines are inactivated or have non-replicating adenovirus vector and can't multiplly in an immunocompromised host.). In fact immunocompromised people are at highest risk of death from COVID Infection.
In US there is a push to allow pregnant people to be vaccinated https://twitter.com/VirusesImmunity/status/1354166371526041603?s=20
The hesitancy showed by 2 Vaccine companies in India in their fact sheet has led to partisan conspiracy theories like these. https://twitter.com/SaketGokhale/status/1351419293318090752?s=20
So ,what is cause of these hesitancy.
Since, these are new Vaccines and have been given emergency approval (typically 2-3 month follow up safety data c.f. 6month in regular approval). In US the companies have been given legal immunity under PREP act. https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/americans-cant-sue-pfizer-moderna-in-case-of-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects-heres-why-3190154.html
Since, these are new Vaccines and have been given emergency approval (typically 2-3 month follow up safety data c.f. 6month in regular approval). In US the companies have been given legal immunity under PREP act. https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/americans-cant-sue-pfizer-moderna-in-case-of-covid-19-vaccine-side-effects-heres-why-3190154.html
In India, Vaccine companies havent been given this indemnity. https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/indemnity-clause-serum-institute-of-india-knocks-on-govt-door-again-121012000029_1.html
Hence , IMO Vaccine Companies(SII) are using Doctors as a hedge if things go wrong to avoid liability.(not their fault actually)
For Covaxin (GOI does promise to compensate though till phase 3 data is out) https://m.timesofindia.com/india/compensation-if-covaxin-causes-serious-adverse-effect/amp_articleshow/80294755.cms
For Covaxin (GOI does promise to compensate though till phase 3 data is out) https://m.timesofindia.com/india/compensation-if-covaxin-causes-serious-adverse-effect/amp_articleshow/80294755.cms
