Some Common Questions About 'Covishield' Answered

Bharat Biotech's Covaxin phase III trials are underway, which is why approving it for emergency use will take a while, as well as Pfizer vaccine is yet to meet certain criteria. Until then, the Oxford vaccine, Covishield is likely to start in India first. Therefore, here are some of the common queries of the people answered about Covishield.

On December 26th, the chief executive of AstraZeneca reported that the new data shows that the vaccine was as effective as Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech and also is 100 percent protective against this serious COVID-19 disease. After a two-day dry run of the Corona vaccine in India, the government may approve the first emergency use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the country.

Is The Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Effective In Mutant Virus?

Researchers believe that the vaccine shot will be effective in the new version of the virus, which is spreading rapidly in Britain. The third-stage test results of Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine showed a 70 percent efficacy rate different in two different regimens. One of these regimens (one full dose followed by one half dose) showed a 90 percent efficacy rate. Even China's Volvox Biotechnology Corporation has begun work on a plant to become an early-stage coronavirus vaccine candidate, similar to the product of AstraZeneca PLC.

How Is Oxford-AstraZeneca Different From Pfizer-BioNTech And Moderna?

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is based on the virus's genetic instructions for the manufacture of spike proteins. But unlike Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna vaccines, which work on single-stranded RNA instructions, the Oxford vaccine uses double-stranded DNA. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for Corona is more irregular than the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna.

The strict protein coat of adenovirus helps protect the genetic material inside. As a result, there is no need to keep the Oxford vaccine frozen. When kept at a temperature of 38–46 ° F (2–8 ° C), the vaccine can be expected to last for at least six months. The Oxford vaccine can also be stored at normal temperature. Likewise, Moderna expects mRNA-1273 can be stored for upto six months at -20 ° C (-4 ° F) temperature.

AstraZeneca Vaccine’s Advantages Over Other Major Vaccine Candidates

• It can be produced on a large scale.
• It is easy to store
• It is cheaper than the other vaccines

It refers to the price paid by the government, like the United States, with orders for tens or millions of doses of vaccine. The price of Pfizer-BioNtech is $ 20.00. At the same time, Moderna will charge $ 19.5 (Rs. 1,440) per dose.

How Does The Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Work?

Researchers have added the gene for the coronavirus spike protein to another virus called adenovirus. Adenoviruses are common viruses that usually cause cold or flu-like symptoms. The Oxford-AstraZeneca team used a modified version of a chimpanzee adenovirus, known as ChAdxx1. It can enter cells, but it cannot replicate inside them. After the vaccine is injected into a person's arm, adenoviruses collide in the cells and form a layer of protein on their surface. The cell then inserts the virus into a bubble and draws it inside. Antibodies lock coronavirus spikes to eliminate it, select it and prevent infection.

Is AstraZeneca Vaccine Safe?

For years, Oxford researchers have been testing their chimpanzee adenovirus vaccine, ChAdOx1, on many other diseases, including Ebola and Zika. However, none of those studies have reached the final stage. But researchers have not seen any serious side effects as well.

When researchers adapted ChAdOx1 to Covid-19, their initial clinical trials also showed no adverse reactions. In Phase 3 trials, however, the test had to be stopped twice, when volunteers experienced health concerns. However, AstraZeneca and Oxford said that no serious safety issues related to the vaccine were reported.