Covid-19 Coronavirus Vaccination

Covid-19 vaccines teach our immune system to recognize and fight the virus. Adequate immune response takes 2-3 weeks after completion of the entire vaccination schedule, i.e., after the second dose of Covaxin and Covishield. These vaccinations restore immunity in a shorter amount of time.

It is also critical for the person to naturally boost his immunity levels after receiving the vaccine.

COVID-19 vaccinations are safe, and receiving them will help protect you from contracting the coronavirus. After getting vaccinated, you may suffer some mild side effects, which are signs that your body is developing immunity. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily tasks, but they should go away in a few days.

Some common side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine include:

A person might also experience side effects on the arm where the person got shot. These might include swelling, pain, redness, an itchy rash, and other mild forms of irritation.

Vaccines contain material from the virus which causes COVID-19. This will help the immune cells in the body form a harmless protein called antibodies, which are unique to the virus and act against the virus.

Developing immunity by vaccination reduces the chance of contracting the illness and its consequences. If you are exposed to the virus, this immunity will help you fight it.

Vaccination may also safeguard those around you since you are immune and disease-free; you are less likely to infect others.

Two vaccines are available to fight against COVID-19: Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited) and Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca's vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India) for emergency use.

Covaxin: This is an inactivated vaccine—one of the oldest methods of human vaccination—meaning that whole, inactivated viruses are injected into the body to trigger an immune response.

These batches of coronavirus must be grown, "killed" with a chemical or heat, and then made into a vaccine, making it a longer process.

Covishield: When the vaccine is injected into a patient, the immune system is prompted to start developing antibodies and attacking any coronavirus infection. Jab is given in two doses between four and 12 weeks apart.

It can be stored safely at temperatures between 2-8 degrees centigrade, approximately the same as a domestic refrigerator, and can be delivered in existing healthcare settings.

If a vaccination requires two doses, the first shot is used to help the body detect the pathogen and build up the immune system. The second injection is intended to boost the immune system's response.

The second dosage stimulates the immune system to produce many antibodies, producing cell-mediated immunity. It also activates memory cells, allowing the body to remember the injection for a long time and assisting in the production of antibodies swiftly in the case of reinfection.

Getting two doses leads to a stronger, better immune response from your body and longer-lasting protection. Everyone must get two doses.

As the health ministry has already said, COVID-19 vaccination is optional. On the other hand, the government recommends that people get the COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves from the novel Coronavirus disease.

It is totally up to you whether you take it or not. It is strongly advised to take it since it will give you the strength to fight the virus, and the more vaccinated people, the less likely the infection will spread.

The answer will depend on the state you live in. However, Medicover Hospitals charge for Covaxin- Rs.1410 and Covishield- Rs. 780.

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available in two doses: Covishield, Covaxin, and Sputnik V, and they are licensed for use in India.

If you are given a vaccination that requires two doses, you should have your second shot as soon as possible after the first. However, your second dose can be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first. It would help if you did not take the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.

Excessive alcohol can lead to a weakened immune system. And that means if you drink after your vaccination, the immune system may be unable to fight the virus correctly. COVID-19 vaccines are 90% effective, but taking alcohol will further reduce the chances of its working.

A patient exposed to COVID-19 should be vaccinated after 15 days of active illness. The immune reaction after infection is less powerful than the defensive response after vaccination. People with COVID-19 can still contract and spread the coronavirus if not vaccinated.

After getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the person must still follow the COVID norms. Everyone should wear a mask and keep a social distance to prevent the virus from spreading.

You can attend small parties again, but you should continue wearing a mask and maintaining public social distancing.