The COVISHIELD™ is a vaccine and may prevent you from getting COVID-19 disease. Read this Fact Sheet for information about the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine. Talk to the healthcare provider if you have questions. It is your choice to receive the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine. The COVISHIELD™ vaccination course consists of two separate doses of 0.5 ml each. The second dose should be administered between 4 to 6 weeks after the first dose. However, there is data available for administration of the second dose up to 12 weeks after the first dose from the first dose from the overseas studies.
The COVISHIELD™ Vaccine will be given to you as an intramuscular (IM) injection only, preferably in the deltoid muscle. Manufactured by: SERUM INSTITUTE OF INDIA PVT. LTD. 212/2, Hadapsar, Pune 411 028, INDIA Marketed by: SERUM INSTITUTE LIFE SCIENCES PVT. LTD. 401, Sarosh Bhavan, 16-B/1, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune - 411 001, INDIA
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET COVISHIELD™ VACCINE
Q. WHAT IS COVID-19? COVID-19 disease is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This type of coronavirus has not been seen before. You can get COVID-19 through contact with another person who has the virus. It is predominantly a respiratory illness that can affect other organs. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.
Q. WHAT IS THE SIIPLCOVISHIELD™ VACCINE? The COVISHIELD™ is approved for restricted use in emergency situation vaccine that may prevent COVID-19 disease in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Q. WHAT SHOULD YOU MENTION TO YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE YOU GET COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? Tell the healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including: • If you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after any drug, food, any vaccine or any ingredients of COVISHIELD™ vaccine • If you have fever • If you have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner • If you are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant • If you are breastfeeding • If you have received another COVID-19 vaccine You should consult your healthcare provider before deciding to take the vaccine.
Q. WHO SHOULD GET THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? COVISHIELD™ Vaccine has been approved for restricted use in emergency situation in individuals 18 years of age and older.
Q. WHO SHOULD NOT GET THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? You should not get the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine if you: • had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine • had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine.
Q. WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? The COVISHIELD™ Vaccine includes the following ingredients: L-Histidine, L-Histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Magnesium chloride hexahydrate, Polysorbate 80, Ethanol, Sucrose, Sodium chloride, Disodium edetate dihydrate (EDTA), Water for injection.
If you receive one dose of the COVISHIELD™ vaccine, then the second dose should be administered between 4 to 6 weeks after the first dose. However, there is data available for administration of the second dose up to 12 weeks after the first dose from the overseas studies.
If you miss your second dose
If you forget to go back at the scheduled time, ask your healthcare provider for advice. It is important that you return for your second dose of COVISHIELD™ vaccine.
Q. HAS THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE BEEN USED BEFORE? The COVISHIELD™ is used in clinical trials, a number of participants received one or two doses in overseas and Indian trials.
Q. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? In ongoing clinical trials, the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID-19 disease following 2 doses given between 4 and 12 weeks apart. The duration of protection against COVID-19 disease is currently unknown. You may get protective immune response 4 weeks after the second dose of COVISHIELD™ vaccine.
Q. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? Side effects that have been reported with the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine include: Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
• tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swelling or bruising where the injection is given • generally feeling unwell • feeling tired (fatigue) • chills or feeling feverish • headache • feeling sick (nausea) • joint pain or muscle ache Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) • a lump at the injection site • fever • being sick (vomiting) • flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) • feeling dizzy • decreased appetite • abdominal pain • enlarged lymph nodes • excessive sweating, itchy skin or rash
These may not be all the possible side effects of the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. COVISHIELD™ Vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS? If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call or go to the nearest hospital. Call the healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. In addition, you can report side effects after vaccination to Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd who is the manufacturer of COVISHIELD™ vaccine as below.
• 24 x 7 Call Center Toll-Free Number (For Medical and Adverse Event Related Queries Only): +91-1800 1200124 • pharmacovigilance@seruminstitute.com
Q. WHAT IF I DECIDE NOT TO GET THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE? It is your choice to receive or not receive the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine. You may prefer to consult your healthcare provider.
Q. CAN I RECEIVE THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE WITH OTHER VACCINES? There is no information on the use of the COVISHIELD™ Vaccine with other vaccines.
Q. WHAT IF I AM PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING? You may discuss your options with the healthcare provider.
Q. WILL THE COVISHIELD™ VACCINE GIVE ME COVID-19 INFECTION? No. The COVISHIELD™ COVID-19 Vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2 and cannot give you COVID-19 infection.
Q. KEEP YOUR VACCINATION CARD When you get your dose, please discuss with your healthcare provider regarding the option of your vaccination record on digital platform, if available.
Q. HOW CAN I LEARN MORE? • Ask the healthcare provider. • Contact your local or state public health department. Reach out to Pranayam Lung & Heart Institute (PLHI) if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms. We have been offering best-in-town physiotherapy to COVID patients and have observed tremendous improvement in our patient’s health conditions. We offer physiotherapy to patients considering their present lung condition and past medical history.