Covaxin is a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech, an Indian pharmaceutical company. The vaccine is based on inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus, which means that the virus has been killed so that it cannot cause infection but still triggers an immune response.
As with any vaccine, the protection provided by Covaxin can wane over time. To maintain high levels of protection against COVID-19, booster doses of the vaccine may be necessary. A booster dose is a second or subsequent dose of a vaccine given after a certain period to boost immunity and ensure continued protection.
The efficacy of Covaxin has been observed to be around 81% for the first dose; however, for the second dose, the efficacy has been observed to be around 90%. The protection from the vaccine is seen to be much stronger after the double dose.
The need for booster doses and the timing of those doses may change as more information about the virus and the vaccine becomes available. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organisations closely monitor the situation and will provide updated guidance on booster doses as needed.
In addition to Covaxin, other COVID-19 vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, also require booster doses to maintain high levels of protection. The Indian government recommends booster doses of Covaxin after every six months after taking the first dose.
Whether a vaccine booster dose of Covaxin is necessary is currently a topic of ongoing research and debate. While some studies have suggested that a booster dose may be needed to maintain protection against COVID-19, other studies have found that the vaccine provides sustained protection even without a booster dose.
One study conducted by Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research found that a single dose of Covaxin protected COVID-19 for up to 90 days. However, this study was conducted on a small number of participants, and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Another study by AIIMS, Delhi, found that the vaccine efficacy was around 83% after the first dose and rose to about 90% after the second dose.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines may be needed in some cases to maintain protection against the virus. However, the WHO still needs to make a recommendation for the specific timing or frequency of booster doses for Covaxin.
At the moment, it's unclear whether a booster dose of Covaxin is necessary, but a booster dose may be needed to maintain protection against COVID-19. As more research is conducted and more data becomes available, the decision on whether a booster dose is required will be clearer.
The decision to take a booster dose should be based on the recommendations of the national health authorities, WHO, and vaccine manufacturers, with consideration of the local epidemiology of the region.
The eligibility for a booster shot of Covaxin, like any other vaccine, is determined by several factors, including the individual's previous vaccination history, the length of time since their last dose, and the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Currently, the Indian government's guidelines state that a booster dose of Covaxin is recommended for people who have completed the total dosage of Covaxin and are at high risk of severe disease and hospitalisation. This includes people over 60 years of age, those with comorbidities, healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those who have recovered from COVID-19 and are looking to boost their immunity.
The timing of the booster dose also plays a role in determining eligibility. The Indian government has recommended that the booster dose be given 12-16 weeks after completing the full dosage schedule. This is based on the current understanding of the duration of protection provided by the vaccine, but this may change as more data becomes available.
The eligibility criteria for a booster dose of Covaxin may change as more research is conducted and more data becomes available. The decision to administer a booster dose should be made by a healthcare professional and based on the individual's specific circumstances and the current state of the pandemic.
The vaccine is currently recommended for those at high risk of severe disease and hospitalisation and should be given 12-16 weeks after the completion of the total dosage schedule. Follow the guidelines the national health authorities provided to determine if a booster dose is necessary and when it should be administered.
The registration process for a booster dose of Covaxin in India may vary depending on your state or region, so be sure to check the guidelines provided by the Indian government for the most up-to-date information. Here are a few key steps to follow when registering for a booster dose of Covaxin in India:
Verify if you are eligible for a booster dose of Covaxin based on the guidelines provided by the Indian government. The vaccine is currently recommended for people who have completed the full dosage of Covaxin and are at high risk of severe disease and hospitalisation.
Look for a vaccination center in your area administering the Covaxin booster dose. This information can be found on the website of the Indian government's vaccination portal, Co-WIN, or by contacting your local health department.
The Indian government has provided an online portal, Co-WIN, to register for a vaccine appointment. You can use this portal to schedule an appointment near a vaccination centre.
Ensure that you have all the necessary documents, such as ID proof and medical certificate (if any), before visiting the vaccination centre.
Make sure to arrive at the vaccination centre at your scheduled appointment time. You may be required to wait or fill out paperwork before getting the vaccine.
After your registration is confirmed, you will be given the booster dose of Covaxin. You may be required to wait for a certain period after receiving the vaccine to ensure that you do not have any adverse reactions.
Keep records of your vaccination and follow the guidelines provided by the Indian government for any follow-up visits or information.
How do we do registration for booster dose?
To register yourself for booster dose, follow these steps:
Why is a booster dose of vaccine required?
A booster dose of Covaxin may be required to maintain protection against COVID-19. The immunity provided by the initial dose of Covaxin may wane over time; a booster dose helps to refresh and boost the immunity, which increases the duration of protection against the disease.
However, the requirement for a booster dose is still under research, and the decision should be based on the recommendations of the national health authorities and the vaccine manufacturers with consideration of the local epidemiology of the region.
When to take a booster dose of covishield?
The government notification states that nine months after receiving the second dosage, a person is qualified to receive the precautionary dose of the new coronavirus vaccination.