Covaxin V/S Covishiled V/S Sputnik: Which One Should You Get?
The covid-19 pandemic has shaken the Earth with its grievous rate of attack and highly dangerous potential to interfere with the immune system of any living creature. It has been close to two years now that humanity is actively trying to eliminate the virus, thereby eradicating the global epidemic.
Finally, the formulation of efficient vaccines to lower the threat hit the market a few months ago. The government is aggressively recommending that people should be inoculated regardless of their age, gender, or region of residence. Unless the citizens of this country are properly immunized, we cannot go back to our regular lives and contribute to the economic decline.
Thus, you need to be vaccinated at the earliest.
However, most people are paralyzed by the decisions of which vaccine they should opt for. You have choices between developed in India or developed in Russia. Hence, today let us take a look at these available options in detail and how they differ from each other, so you can make an informed decision.
Where were Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V developed?
In the face of it all, both Covishield and Covaxin were developed in India. Covishield was developed by SERUM Institute of India, an organization that is vastly regarded for other cures such as vaccines for Measles, Hepatitis B, Toxoid, and more. Covaxin, on the other hand, was developed by Bharat Biotech, a company based out of Hyderabad.
Both the vaccines developed by Indian organizations are highly effective and greatly recommended by the government. The vaccines have different side effects and rates of efficacy but at the end of the day, they both perform an equally commendable job of building human immunity against the nasty novel coronavirus.
Then a new vaccine hit the market, one that was developed in Russia. Sputnik V or as it is often referred to as GAM-COVID-VAC was developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. This vaccine is also quite effective to help prevent the fatal effects of the novel coronavirus.
How do Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V differ in composition?
Covaxin consists of the following ingredients:
- Inactivated whole-virion SARS-COV-2 antigens strained from NIV-2020-77
- The Inactive gel of aluminium hydroxide
- Inactivated variety of viruses.
Covishield consists of the following ingredients:
- Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate
- Sodium Chloride
- Disodium Edetate Dihydrate
- Ethanol
- L-Histidine
- L-Histidine Hydrochloride Monohydrate
- Sucrose
- Polysorbate 80
- Water
Sputnik V consists of the following ingredients:
- Serotypes 5 and 26 of adenovirus
- S-expressing gene of SARS-CoV-2
How many doses are required for Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V?
Covaxin requires 2 doses.
Covishield requires 2 doses.
Sputnik V only requires 1 dose.
How do Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik affect the human body?
Covaxin, which introduces the killed antigens of the novel coronavirus along with other assorted viruses, takes immediate effect on the body. The immune system jumps into high gear to start creating antibodies. Therefore, the first dose of the vaccine itself plays a vital role in shielding the system from further attack from covid-19.
Covishield is inserted in the upper arm and with the first dose itself, the immune system starts to develop antibodies for a variety of viruses and infections. It enhances the natural components of the immune system thus making it stronger and proficient at shielding the body from further attack from various diseases. It is pivotal to take both doses to optimize the effects of this vaccine as it mostly consists of chemical compounds.
Sputnik, on the other hand, has a different effect on the body. The vaccine propels the secretion of protein which helps multiply antibodies in the system when it is under attack.
What are the risks and side effects of taking Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V?
Every vaccine has its own risks and set of side effects. However, these fallouts are temporary and can be easily managed with a healthy diet. Do not opt for OTC medications without consulting a licensed medical professional though, as it may aggravate the problem.
The following side effects may occur upon injecting Covaxin:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Myalgia (pain and discomfort in one or more sets of muscles
- Swelling where the injection was inserted.
The following side effects may occur upon injecting Covishield:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Burning eyes
- Swelling
- Stomach pain
- Tenderness in muscles
- Adverse allergic reactions from the ingredients so consult with a physician.
The following side effects may occur upon injecting Sputnik V:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Pain at the site of the vaccine
What is the reported rate of efficacy for Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V?
Depending on allergic reactions to the component, the strength of a person’s overall immune system, and existing ailments, each vaccine has a different success rate. It is best to check with your physician for an accurate idea of which vaccine is best suited for your body.
As per the reports submitted by Bharat Biotech, Covaxin has an efficacy rate of 81 per cent.
As per the official reports submitted by the SERUM Institute of India, Covishield has shown an efficacy rate of 81.3 per cent.
Upon completion of the three clinical trials, Sputnik V has demonstrated an efficacy rate of a whopping 91.6 per cent.
So which covid-19 vaccine shot should you take based on the analysis of each vaccine?
The novel coronavirus in itself is a versatile adversary that keeps transforming its behaviour with each wave. Therefore, it may seem ideal to take the vaccine that immediately creates sufficient antibodies to fight the virus.
Nevertheless, each vaccine has its merits. It is difficult to determine which vaccine will have an overall effective result for everyone. Each person has a different strength of the immune system, different ailments, allergies, and the capability to cope with infections.
Covishield is largely based on chemicals whereas Covaxin introduces dead SARS-CoV-2 and an assortment of other viruses to equip your immune system. Sputnik V, conversely, boosts the protein levels which helps multiply antibodies to fight the virus.
Depending on the composition and if you are allergic to certain components, your physician might suggest alternate vaccines as opposed to popular choices. Therefore, do not rely on what your friends or acquaintances might suggest. It is possible that due to your body’s targeted reaction to certain chemicals and antigens, your consulting physician may suggest you take Covaxin when your entire family is recommended Covishield.
If you are uncertain about which vaccine to take, it is best to discuss any existing illnesses or allergic reactions to certain drugs and conditions with the vaccine administrator. Or better yet, call your regular doctor who is familiar with your medical history.
You can narrow down your choices to Covaxin and Covishield for the time being because:
- Sputnik V, although recommended in 60 countries, is still undergoing verification by international agencies to determine its efficacy equally among humankind.
- Based on regional disorders and conditions, it is ideal to choose the vaccinations developed in India because the trials have proven effective on the Indian audience.
- Although Sputnik V has reported a higher rate of efficacy as compared to Covaxin and Covishield, the spontaneously changing symptoms and effects of the coronavirus are undetermined. Therefore, if the reason is the climatic changes and living conditions of the Indian populace, then the rate of effectiveness would be altered based on the recipients in each location.
Which vaccine do doctors normally recommend: Covaxin, Covishield, or Sputnik V?
In all honesty, most doctors favour Covaxin over Covishield. This is due to the simple phenomenon that Covaxin introduces various inactivated assorted viruses into the body, including SARS-CoV-2. It helps the body develop antibodies for a multitude of infections and the novel coronavirus itself. The system is thus optimized to effectively fight against all manners of diseases.
However, every type of body is different. Some people who have existing ailments, chronic diseases, and a weakened immune system may find it difficult to deal with introducing so many forms of viruses into the body, even if they are already deactivated. The immune system may experience extreme pressure and become incapable of coping with the intrusion. Therefore, Covishield is a better option for them.
You also need to take into account the different allergies you may have, current medications, and any coronary disease. Thus, doctors actively recommend you to honestly discuss your consternations with your regular physicians or at least provide a brief of your medical history to the consultants and volunteers at the inoculation centre.
Conclusion
As we have stated, each vaccine has its merits, therefore choosing one over the other based on a cursory understanding of its components and rate of effectiveness is a herculean task. Not to mention highly dangerous.
In order to choose the right vaccine for you and your loved ones, consult your regular physician. They are familiar with your medical history, hence they can analyze your requirements accurately.
The goal is to immunize yourself and your family and friends against the novel coronavirus. Therefore, it is only logical to choose what is best suited for your body and your loved ones’.
