Coronavirus vaccine: India's government panel to review possible side effects of Covishield, Covaxin; Here's what we know

Since the rollout of COVID vaccines in India, millions have already received their vaccine jab. While it has come at a time when India is experiencing another surge in the COVID-19 cases, many believe it to be a boon. On the contrary, the post vaccination side-effects experienced by vaccinated individuals have raised many eyebrows recently.

The international concern over Astrazeneca's COVID vaccine, which is said to be associated with blood clotting issues has urged the Indian government to expand their review on the possible side effects of Covishield and Covaxin.

At a time when not only India, but major international countries are struggling with the different waves of coronavirus and trying to tackle the effects of the various mutations, vaccines have become all the more crucial and important.

Considering the fact that COVID cases continue to rise in and around the world and while the young and the elderly are struggling to keep themselves safe from the deadly virus, COVID vaccines have become the need of the hour and there is no way ahead without them.

COVID vaccines are said to trigger some amount of side effects in different individuals, of which fever, fatigue, body ache and nausea are some of the most common.

Soreness at the site of vaccination, lethargy/malaise are other common symptoms experienced by individuals post their vaccination. While the post vaccination side effects may linger on for a day or two, experts believe it is highly manageable at home. However, if individuals experience severe reactions, they are advised to seek medical help.

Covishield and Covaxin have been developed in a similar manner and both promise high efficacy rates. However, the difference lies in the fact that the former has completed the three stages of testing, while the latter is still in the last stage of trial.

While Covishield is being developed by the pharma giant AstraZeneca inc. and Oxford University. it is being manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. On the other hand, Covaxin is an indigenous COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Virology (NIV).

Both vaccines are programmed to produce antibodies to fight the deadly COVID pathogens and protect the body from possible infections. That said, in terms of performance, nothing can be confirmed as both the vaccines have been developed to fight the deadly virus.

While COVID vaccines are the need of the hour and getting yourself vaccinated is of utmost importance, recent findings by the European Medicines Authority (EMA) list “unusual” blood clots (thrombosis) with abnormally low blood platelets (thrombocytopenia) as “very rare” side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

These unusual blood clots occurred in “unusual” sites like veins in the brain, abdomen and in the arteries.

Similarly, a recent UK review of the same vaccine prompted its regulator to revise recommendations on this vaccine, which in India goes by the name of Covishield and is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

Following the reports of the "unusual" and "rare" side effects of Astrazeneca's COVID vaccine, the Indian authorities including the National Committee for Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) have now decided to expand the review of adverse reactions of the homegrown vaccines (Covishield and Covaxin).

According to the President of the Public Health Foundation of India, Dr Srinath Reddy, “Indian regulators must now provide data on any similar adverse events noted in India. Top committees will look into 19,500 mild cases, as per reports. Sources have also reported that the review is expected to continue until next week.