India has commenced the second phase of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive for age-appropriate population groups on Monday, March 1. In the second phase, senior citizens and people above 45 with comorbidities are being given priority to get vaccinated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the first jab on the first day of the second phase to dispel the rumours over the COVID-19 vaccines.

The government has claimed that both homegrown vaccines i.e Covishield manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin are safe but come with some side effects. The companies have put out detailed fact sheets on their website.

Covisheld

The company has said that the vaccine has been approved for restricted use in an emergency situation in individuals 18 years of age and above.

According to the company, you should avoid taking the vaccine if you ever had a severe allergic reaction after any drug, food, or any vaccine. Those who have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, or if you are immunocompromised or any medicine that affects your immune system must avoid taking Covisheld. The company also says that if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding then you should avoid taking the jab.

Side effects of Covisheld

Serum Institute of India has put out a list of side effects that you may feel after taking a jab. According to the company some of the very common side effects of the vaccines are tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swelling, or bruising where the injection is given, generally feeling unwell, chills or feeling feverish, headache, joint aches, flu-like symptoms such as high-temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough.

Some uncommon side effects are feeling dizzy, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, enlarged lymph nodes, excessive sweating, itchy skin, or rash.

Covaxin

The company has said that people with a history of allergies, fever, bleeding disorders, or those who are on a blood thinner, have compromised immune system, or take medicines that affect their immunity must avoid taking Covaxin. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding must also consult with the supervising officer before taking the jab.

Side effects of Covaxin

The mild side-effects of the drug include injection site pain, injection site swelling, injection site redness, injection site itching, stiffness in the upper arm, weakness in the injection arm, body ache, headache, fever, malaise, weakness, rashes, nausea, vomiting.

Signs of a severe adverse event include difficulty in breathing, swelling of face and throat, fast heart-beat, rashes all over the body, dizziness, and weakness.