Subhadeep Dutta, Maheshtala, Kolkata : India has so far approved three vaccines against the deadly COVID-19 to be used for its inoculation drive which started on January 16th. The three vaccines approved by the Health Ministry are Serum Institute of India's (SII) Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Russia's Sputnik V. While Covaxin and Covishield are available since the vaccination drive started in January, Russia's Sputnik V got the government's approval last week and will now be distributed by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories in India. With this, Sputnik V also became the second most expensive COVID-19 vaccine available in the country. While the SII's Covishield is developed by the Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, the Covaxin has been developed by India's Bharat Biotech in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The Sputnik V has been developed by Moscow based Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and like most vaccines, it also needs to be administered in two doses. As the world's biggest vaccination drive is underway, there is a lot of buzzes that surrounds the use of the vaccines, it's efficacy and possible side effects. We at Jagran English bring you some noteworthy differences between the three vaccines available in India you must be aware of.
Sputnik V
The vaccine, developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute, initially generated some controversy after being rolled out before the final trial data had been released. But scientists say its benefits have now been demonstrated. It uses a cold-type virus, engineered to be harmless, as a carrier to deliver a small fragment of the corona virus to the body. Safely exposing the body to a part of the virus's genetic code in this way allows it to recognise the threat and learn to fight it off, without the risk of becoming ill. After being vaccinated, the body starts to produce antibodies especially tailored to the corona virus. This means that the immune system is primed to fight corona virus when it encounters it for real. It can be stored at temperatures of between 2 and 8C degrees (a standard fridge is roughly 3-5C degrees) making it easier to transport and store.
Covaxin
Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine which means that it is made up of killed corona viruses, making it safe to be injected into the body. Bharat Biotech, a 24 year old vaccine maker with a portfolio of 16 vaccines and exports to 123 countries, used a sample of the corona virus, isolated by India's National Institute of Virology. When administered, immune cells can still recognise the dead virus, prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the pandemic virus. The two doses are given four weeks apart. The vaccine can be stored at 2C to 8C. The vaccine has an efficacy rate of 81%, preliminary data from its phase 3 trial shows. India's regulators gave the vaccine an emergency approval in January while the third phase of the trial was still underway, sparking scepticism and questions from experts. Bharat Biotech says it has a stockpile of 20 million doses of Covaxin, and is aiming to make 700 million doses out of its four facilities in two cities by the end of the year.
Covishield
The Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine is being manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. It says it is producing more than 60 million doses a month. The vaccine is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like corona virus although it can't cause illness. When the vaccine is injected into a patient, it prompts the immune system to start making antibodies and primes it to attack any corona virus infection. The jab is administered in two doses given between four and 12 weeks apart. It can be safely stored at temperatures of 2C to 8C and can easily be delivered in existing health care settings such as doctors' surgeries. The jab developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, which is currently being administered in several countries, must be stored at 70C and can only be moved a limited number of times a particular challenge in India, where summer temperatures can reach 50C.
Prices of Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V
Covishield: The SII had initially launched the vaccine at Rs. 150 for the Central government, at Rs. 400 for state governments and at Rs. 600 for private hospitals. However, the company reduced the price by 25 percent for state governments and is now selling its vaccine doses at Rs. 300 to state governments. Meanwhile, the prices for the centre and private hospitals remains unchanged.
Covaxin: Covaxin is slightly expensive as compared to Covishield. For state governments, the vaccine is being marketed at Rs. 400, which has been reduced from Rs. 600, while for private hospitals and facilities, it has been priced at Rs. 1,200. Bharat Biotech is selling the Covaxin doses at Rs. 150 to the Central government.
Sputnik V: Dr Reddy's Laboratories in association with Apollo Hospitals have priced the Sputnik V vaccine at Rs. 1,250 (including the administration charges). However, the vaccine is currently being imported at a price of Rs. 948 a dose, and with a 5 percent GST, the cost of the vaccine for every dose comes to Rs. 995.40.
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