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coronavaccine

The Truth About Coronavirus Vaccine in India: Is Coronavirus Vaccine safe?

by qalfit January 12, 2021

written by qalfit

India’s drugs regulator had recently approved Oxford’s COVID-19 vaccine Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for restricted emergency use. The vaccination drive is all set to begin across the country to initially inoculate three crore healthcare and frontline workers. But health experts and critics raise several concerns and questions over the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine in India. So, is the coronavirus vaccine safe? Let’s uncover the truth behind the coronavirus vaccine in India.

What are the Approved Coronavirus Vaccines in India?

Currently (As of 06-01-2021), India has approved two vaccines- Covishield vaccine developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India and the Covaxin vaccine that is developed by Oxford University and Astra Zeneca, and produced in India by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR). On 03-01-2021, the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) Dr. VG Somani granted the emergency use authorization to Covishield and Covaxin based on the recommendation of the Subject Expert Committee (SEC).

According to the suggestions made by the National Expert Group on vaccine Administration for COVID-19, the central government will directly procure the vaccine supplies and distribute them throughout the nation.

Concerns Regarding the Coronavirus Vaccine in India:

One of the major concerns that various health experts have expressed regarding the coronavirus vaccine in India is the absence of Phase 3 trial data on Covaxin. The only phase two clinical trials have shown efficacy and phase three trials are still ongoing. The SEC granted accelerated approval and restricted emergency usage to these vaccines considering the existing pandemic situation, high mortality, and lack of definitive treatment. Although the health ministry had earlier stated that the COVID-19 vaccination will be voluntary, health experts and critics have cautioned that giving premature clearance to the vaccine could risk the lives and fuel vaccine hesitancy in India.

When can we Receive the Coronavirus Vaccine in India?

According to the Union Health Ministry, the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in India will most likely be administered on January 13. This would be the Covishield vaccine which has been developed by the University of Oxford and produced locally by the Serum Institute of India.

How Long will the Vaccine be Effective?

The coronavirus was only just discovered at the end of 2019 and with the speed at which the vaccines were approved, there is no clear information on how long this vaccine will be effective. It is quite certain that the vaccines have long-lasting protection but the actual length of time is unknown. This is not just the case for Covishield and Covaxin vaccines but also for other vaccines including Moderna’s and Pfizer’s vaccines.

How Effective will this Vaccine be in the General Population?

Technically, no vaccine is perfect and it takes time to provide protection. Although you get strong protection against COVID-19 after receiving the vaccination, there is still a chance that you could get infected with the virus. Because even after you get these vaccines, it may take several weeks for your body to start building immunity against the virus. So, realistically speaking, you could get sick with the virus, just before or even just after getting the vaccination.

Should the People who had Already been Affected by COVID-19 be Vaccinated?

Health experts advise that those who have already had COVID-19 still get the vaccine. Because natural infection with coronavirus only gives you some degree of immunity, and it doesn’t give you full protection. The COVID-19 vaccines are specifically designed to neutralize the virus and its ability to infect. So, even if had been infected with the virus before, getting vaccinated gives you an extra layer of protection against the virus.

To conclude, although many of us are believing that vaccines are the end of COVID-19 and life will be back or normal after vaccination, this is not entirely the case. As mentioned, vaccines are not 100% fail-proof, so, we need a greater community effort to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 12, 2021 0 comment

Lifestyle

TIPs for Travelling to India: CORONAVIRUS Pandemic

by qalfit March 21, 2020

written by qalfit

A tiny little creature that can only be seen under a microscope rules the world now. How about that? Here are few tips for traveling to India amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus has affected all aspects of life. From home quarantine to country lockdown to economic disaster the world has been hit hard. Coronavirus, a China-born virus that inflicts infectious respiratory illness is taking down the world one patient at a time. While the deadly pandemic is still at large and a vaccine is yet to be found, Governments across the globe are taking necessary steps to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

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One important thing to note here is that the reason for the widespread of Covid-19 is due to the affected people traveling across the world as a carrier of coronavirus. Since the day when the first case of coronavirus pandemic in India was reported, the coronavirus has spread rapidly infecting more than 100 people all over India in just 5 weeks. So, if you’re an NRI or an Indian working abroad, planning to travel to India, here are a few tips if you’re traveling to India amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

tips for travelling to India coronavirus pandemic

The Indian government has banned arriving international passengers from the Uk, Turkey, and the whole of Europe till the end of March. This means even if you’re an Indian passport holder residing in these countries you won’t be allowed to India till March 31.
Even after this ban period, if you’re traveling from China, Korea, Iran, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and any countries of the European Union to India, you’ll be put through a mandatory quarantine.
This is the most important thing to keep in mind if you’re traveling to India amidst the coronavirus outbreak. If you have any symptoms of coronavirus, it is advisable to postpone your travel to India as you’ll be endangering your life as well as others.
Upon reaching India, even if you don’t show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, get tested for the disease as you may be a carrier of the disease.
Use disinfectants and frequently wash your hands after touching surfaces in airports and planes.
Stay indoors and try not to go to public gatherings, sports events, movie theatres, malls, and crowded places.
Take the necessary precautions and avoid coming in close contact with the affected patients.
If you develop any symptoms of coronavirus like sore throat, coughing or fever, kindly rush to the nearest hospital as soon as possible.

While the disease is still at large, the WHO is recommending the people to temporarily halt any traveling plans. But, if there is an absolute necessity to travel to India in these high times, these are the few tips for traveling to India amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

March 21, 2020 0 comment

Lifestyle

How to keep kids safe from coronavirus?

by qalfit March 19, 2020

written by qalfit

In these anxious days with the deadly coronavirus creating havoc across the globe, parents are wondering: How to keep kids safe from coronavirus?

While the vaccine for coronavirus is yet to be found, Governments all over the world are taking efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although elderly people and people with underlying medical conditions are more vulnerable to coronavirus, we must take no risk by exposing the kids to coronavirus. Here are a few tips on how to keep kids safe from
Coronavirus.

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Here are a few tips on how to keep kids safe from Coronavirus.

Parents need to advise kids and teens to practice good hygiene and health practices. This includes frequently washing hands, avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, mouth and eating healthy.
As a parent, it is also important to sanitize their rooms and their accessories like clothes, toys, beds, computers, and objects they touch a lot.
Advise your kids to stay at least 6 feet away from someone who is coughing or sneezing and to use a handkerchief or tissue when they need to cough or sneeze.
Avoid taking your kids to busy places and crowded gatherings until the outbreak is under control.
Kids like to play outside and it is ok to allow them to play outside as long as the play area is safe and clean.
As the cure is yet to be found, it is important to know how to keep your kids safe from coronavirus so try to follow all the updates and news regarding the coronavirus and take the necessary precautions for keeping the virus away from your children.
If there are people with coronavirus in your area, be extremely cautious and follow the instructions from your local health authority to keep your kids safe from coronavirus.
It is important to provide facts about the coronavirus and the disease, even if tempered for a younger child and be honest with them, because of you don’t teach your kids about coronavirus, they may fall victim to rumours or misinterpret the information.
In the event of your kid’s school shutting down, maintaining a normal routine can make them feel calm and secured.

Children take cues from the adults that surround them. How you address the virus at home may reflect in their behaviour, so it is necessary to know how to keep kids safe from coronavirus. Take necessary precautions for coronavirus and teach your kids to maintain good hygiene. And if your kid has any symptoms of COVID-19, rush to the hospital at the earliest and take the necessary treatment. Trying to treat the disease at home with home medications is highly discouraged as not only you will be endangering your kid’s life but also other’s life as well.

March 19, 2020 0 comment