COVID-19 Vaccines: Who Should & Who Shouldn’t Take Vaccines

To simply understand, COVID-19 vaccines like Covaxin, and Covishield contain pathogens. With that, some ingredients speed up the human immune response to foreign viruses. They are generally aluminium salts that act as adjuvants.

In addition, some preservatives are added to vaccines to keep them from being contaminated, they are generally not harmful to human beings.

Sterile water is added to maintain the chemical concentration in the vaccine. Surfactants are added to prevent compounds from clumping together. To stabilise and block chemical reactions, some proteins, sugars, and gelatin are added.

Let us look at the commonly prescribed dosage time of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Disclaimer: According to ATAGI, the dosing period can vary according to age, population group, and availability. One should consult a medical technician or a doctor about the correct time to take the COVID-19 vaccine before going for it.

After getting the COVID-19 Vaccine injected, the duplicated pathogens or virus less severe than actual COVID-19 spreads in human blood. It prepares our immune system against such harmful foreign bodies. Our white blood platelets increase and protect us against those pathogens.

After certain doses, our body gets into the habit and prepares itself to fight against a hazardous virus such as COVID-19 that causes death. It is trained to recognise the spiked protein as a threat and starts fighting it immediately. This saves humans from causing severe illness in the long term and prevents death.

Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine is explicitly one’s choice for wellbeing. We will discuss who can take this vaccine and who should avoid it.

Followed by are the people or group of people who should get vaccinated

All Healthcare Workers

Frontline health workers are the primary people, to whom we all visit for checkups. These people directly come in contact with patients to help them with their health complications.

Individuals who are doctors, nurses, medical facilitators, or who work mainly in hospitals and healthcare centres are included in it. They need to safeguard themselves first when they come into contact with many.

It is highly recommended and was even mandated by the government at a time to get their COVID-19 vaccinations done.

Priority Groups

Priority is often given to high-risk individuals, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions. These conditions may include heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders, as these groups are more susceptible to severe illness or complications from COVID-19.

Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should get the COVID-19 Vaccine under common concern. Getting a Vaccine can reduce the potential risk of a deadly virus from causing severe illness to the family and the baby. If a pregnant lady decides to take a vaccine she can get herself counselled by her doctor or medical facilities available in government hospitals.

Senior citizens above the age of 60 years belong to the priority group.

Other Citizens

Currently, all citizens above the age of 18 are liable to take vaccination. Separate vaccines are available for children below the age of 18.

Individuals who have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection are generally advised to get vaccinated. Studies suggest that vaccination provides additional protection and may enhance the immune response, contributing to long-term immunity.

Let us have a look at people who cannot take Covishield vaccine or other COVID-19 Vaccines:

• Individual With Allergy

• Children Below the Specified Age

• People With Low Blood Platelet Count

• People who were recently tested positive or who are waiting for their COVID test results.

• People who have symptoms of the Coronavirus

• People who have taken anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.

• These are the group of people who should not take Covaxin or Covishield.

There are no long-term effects reported, few people who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine have reported short-term side effects like fever or cold which may last for a maximum of 4 days. Some common after-effects of the covishield vaccine or vaccine are:

• Body pain

• Redness around the area of vaccination

• Arm pain

• Headache

• Feeling cold

• Fever

Taking a COVID-19 vaccine will hinder a few days of your routine. Make sure you take a leave at work and make provisions for proper rest. There are chances that some people may develop a fever or feel chills.

Drink proper water, eat healthy food and make sure you consult a doctor before taking any medicine. It is not advised to consume any medicine without proper consultation with your doctor.

Give your body proper rest for at least 1 day after taking the vaccine.

Taking care of your health should be everyone’s priority. Taking a vaccine is one of the most effective preventive measures against the COVID-19 epidemic. But that should not be the only provision we make.

Coronavirus or any other disease can cost you a lot. Instead of spoiling the hard-earned savings of our loved ones, buy a health insurance plan that covers all our medical expenses and medicine bills. TATA AIG provides a comprehensive medical insurance plan for not only you but also your loved ones.

You can also compare the health insurance plan that you are planning to buy with other health insurance policies. We believe that when it comes to health, everyone deserves the best.

I recovered from COVID-19, do I still need to take the vaccine?

It is natural to feel the need to skip the vaccine after recovering from COVID-19. The body of the patients who have recovered from COVID-19 already contains Antibodies that can fight against COVID-19.

However, individuals who have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection are generally advised to get vaccinated. Studies suggest that vaccination provides additional protection and may enhance the immune response, contributing to long-term immunity.

Does COVID-19 vaccine affect our hearts?

COVID-19 indeed causes heart disease in a few rare cases. These diseases can happen due to blood clotting or swelling of the heart. But, there is nothing to be scared about this as only a few cases were reported where people suffered from these types of diseases.

The risk of heart disease lasts only for a few days after taking the vaccine. These are one of the groups of people who should not take the Covisheild Vaccine without a doctor’s consultation.

Does COVISHIELD have long-term side effects?

No, COVID-19 vaccines do not have any long-term side effects. People who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine have reported only short-term side effects like fever or cold which may last a maximum of 4 days.

Patients are advised to take rest 2 days after taking the shot for minimal pain and low chances of side effects.

Disclaimer: Side effects may vary from person to person. The effect and duration of the side effects, too, may vary from person to person. It is therefore necessary to consult a doctor and take the necessary precautions.