Companies have applied for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The day isn’t far when one or more of the vaccine candidates will receive the green light.
The different branches of RxDx Healthcare are preparing to vaccinate the city of Bengaluru in its trademark friendly ways. In Clinic. In Camps.
FAQs
on COVID-19 Vaccine
Update
COVID-19 vaccine is scheduled for roll-out in the country on 16th January 2021 and the states/UTs have already received vaccines for the same.
In this regard, a comparative factsheet for both the vaccines that will be used during the introduction have been prepared which contains information on vaccine platform, physical specifications, dosage, cold chain storage requirements, contraindications and minor AEFIs. A detailed note on contraindications and special precautions has also been prepared and is enclosed.
Source: Office of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, dated January 14, 2021
Covishield is in phase 3 trials in India but global data show that this vaccine has an overall efficacy of 70.42%. Recommended doses: age group >18 years, 2 shots, 4-6 weeks apart, intramuscular. As per media reports, possible price in India: around ₹400.
Covaxin has just started phase 3 Clinical Trials and more data is required. Recommended doses: 2 shots, Day 0 and 28. As per media reports, possible price in India: less than ₹100.
Vaccination will be initially prioritised for beneficiaries like healthcare and other front-line workers. Clinical trials will continue. DCGI and other authorities will keep monitoring the new strain reported.
India has been conducting vaccine dry runs across several states to prepare for the actual drive. Drills include registration, verification, mock vaccination, and post-shot observations.
RxDx Healthcare is prepping up to provide
Training of Vaccinators
Cold chain logistics support
Vaccine administration in urban and rural set-ups
The First in the line to receive COVID vaccination
What will be the most justifiable order of immunisation?
Healthcare professionals (those who work in a healthcare setting)
Other frontline workers or first responders (paramedical staff, army, civil servants working in the city sanitisation, police, paramilitary, media, etc.)
People with comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, organ transplant, chemotherapy patients
Citizens above 50 years of age
Who’s next?
Healthy adults
Teenagers
Children
Newborn (if applicable in the future)
Five principles guiding the vaccination drive
Technology-driven well-planned implementation
Existing healthcare services like national programmes and primary care will remain uncompromised
Apply the strategies of elections and universal immunisation programme
Ensure participation of the general population
Strict adherence to scientific and regulatory norms and other SOPs
Vaccine for COVID: The Global Race
Several candidates are in various stages of development. Some of them are expecting license shortly. “Every single Indian who needs to be vaccinated will be vaccinated,” National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration of Covid-19 (NEGVAC) has promised.
This count is for publicly disclosed vaccines
- 45 candidates in pre or clinical evaluation
- 10 vaccines in phase 2/3 trials
- 7 vaccines received emergency use authorization / approval
Algorithm
Vaccines: What are they?
Not a treatment.
Vaccines follow the classic principle of “Prevention is better than cure.”
A vaccine is a natural or genetically engineered, weakened or inactive form of the pathogen itself. When transferred to the host body, it trains the immune system to fight the infection if contracted in future.
What are we looking for, in the highly anticipated novel Coronavirus vaccine?
- Dosage
- Safety
- Efficacy
- Ease of Storage and Distribution
- Mechanism of Action (MOA)
- Cost
Not necessarily in that order.
How does a vaccine work against viral infections?
Steps of Vaccine Development
- Preclinical phase
Testing out a potential vaccine in animals or laboratory environment
- Clinical phase
Phase I
Examine dosage, efficacy, safety, and possible side effects of candidate vaccine in a small group of people (30-50)
Phase II
Look for immunogenicity (does the vaccine elicit expected immune response?) besides safety and efficacy
Phase III
More advanced stage of testing the candidate vaccine’s safety and efficacy along with large scale monitoring of adverse events. Chances of approval are related to the risk benefit ratio.
Who approves vaccines for manufacturing?
The regulators keep up the scrutiny even after approval process is over, to ensure continued safety.
Safety recap
Mask
Hygiene
Distance
A round-up on the novel coronavirus vaccines
Vaccines mostly have low to mild effects, mostly commonly fatigue, muscle aches, mild fever, etc which is more about body’s response to the shot than the disease
Those who have COVID infection should wait for complete recovery before getting the vaccine but there is no contraindication so far for patients who have had a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
We need to remember that vaccines are the best way to prevent infectious diseases.
Remember small pox, remember polio, remember tetanus! Then, ask yourself, are vaccines good or bad for you.
Truly, nothing is risk-free in this world. The speed at which COVID has set the vaccine race, many find it concerning. However, technology of vaccine development is way more advanced compared to what we knew even a decade ago. Also, in today’s world, everything happens under the watchful eyes of the public, the government, regulatory authorities and the media. So, let’s set our worries aside and wait for our turn to get that preventive shot against the pandemic.