#Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute issues factsheet on who should avoid Covid-19 vaccine
JNS: Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India Ltd. biotechnology vaccine manufacturers, have released a fact sheet outlining the use of its coronavirus vaccines.
According to the fact sheets, it is advisable not to take the vaccine if a person has allergies, fever, or bleeding disorder or is on a blood thinner. It also said that pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid taking the vaccines or consult the doctor before taking to dose.
Covaxin
The fact sheet posted on Bharat Biotech’s official website, revealed that The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) has authorized the restricted use of its vaccine under clinical trial mode.
It is advisable not to take the vaccine if a person has allergies, fever, or bleeding disorder or is on a blood thinner, it mentioned.
It also said that pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid taking Covaxin. Those who are immune-compromised or are on medication that affects the immune system, and those who have received another Covid-19 vaccine should also not get Bharat Biotech’s medicine, the company said.
Bharat Biotech also revealed the ingredients the company used to develop Covaxin. It contains 64g of whole-virion inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen (Strain: NIV-2020-770), and the other inactive ingredients such as aluminum hydroxide gel (250 μg), TLR 7/8 agonist (imidazoquinolinone) 15 μg, 2-phenoxyethanol 2.5 mg, and phosphate buffer saline up to 0.5 ml.
“The vaccine thus has been developed by using inactivated/killed virus along with the aforementioned chemicals,” said Bharat Biotech.
Covaxin is administered as an injection into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm. It is a two-dose series given four weeks apart, Bharat Biotech added. The fact sheet (Covaxin) also asked people to inform the vaccinator or a supervising official about their medical condition before taking the vaccine.
Covishield
While the Serum Institute of India advised people who are seriously allergic to any of the Covishield ingredients that they should not take the Covid-19 vaccine.
According to the fact sheet, if they had a serious allergic reaction following a previous dose of the vaccine, one should not take the second shot of Covishield.
“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,” it said (Serum Institute).
The fact sheet also reveals that if a person is pregnant or plans to become pregnant or is breastfeeding she should tell the healthcare provider before taking the vaccine shot.
The recipients should also mention to the healthcare provider, if they have fever, if they have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner and also if they are immuno-compromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system, it said.
