High Hopes from Dry run of Covid Vaccine

TNI Bureau: A dry run for the COVID vaccine in all the states and Union Territories in 116 districts across 259 sites is being held today. It will help the Govt to check the feasibility of shots against the virus and its new strain. Around 25 healthcare beneficiaries are to be present at each site.

Before the actual rollout of the vaccine, the Subject Expert Committee under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation decided on the emergency use authorization application of Pfizer INC, AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Other vaccines that are likely to be considered are ZyCov-D, HGCO19, Covishield.

As per the US trials, Pfizer had minor side effects (mild to moderate). A small proportion of Americans saw strong side effects such as chills, nausea, headache and fatigue. It is inevitable to admit that younger people with a strong immune system may have more side effects.

Covaxin has not reflected any major side effects. The Chief executive of AstraZeneca, Pascal Soriot, said that the vaccine should efficiently be effective against the new variant of COVID-19.

As per the study, ZyCov-D results to be immunogenic and safe. HGCO19 doesn’t produce a conventional production of the immune system, but a molecular instruction to produce viral protein to enhance the immune response, considered safe and non-infectious. Covishield has shown 70 per cent efficacy and 90 per cent in certain circumstances.

However, the side effects of vaccines are not uncommon. The minor side effects ranging from mild to moderate is healthy as it validates the efficacy of the vaccine. It signals the response of an immune system to the vaccine. Interestingly, Pfizer-BioNTech shows fewer side effects amongst older people.

However, anyone with a severe allergic reaction to any ingredients used in the COVID-19 vaccine must refrain from getting a dose. It has been assured that severe reactions are rare.  A dry run of the COVID vaccine is expected to bring some new hope in 2021.