All you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines, how to register for vaccination

Vaccines have become the most important weapon in the fight to curb the rapid spread of COVID19 infection across the world Vaccine makers are working overtime to meet the demand for COVID vaccines globally Vaccine development is a long process that includes research clinical trials that involves testing with animals trials with humans in phases and other rigorous safety processes to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective when it is rolled outAccording to experts some people get fever body ache sore arm and few odd sideeffects after taking vaccine jabs which usually lasts for a few days and can be controlled by taking paracetamolsTo understand the COVID19 vaccines and details related to it midday online spoke to two Mumbaibased senior doctors Dr Daksha Shah deputy executive health officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Dr Santosh Kumar Dora Senior Cardiologist Asian Heart InstituteHere are excerpts from the interviewCan you explain about vaccines and how does it workDr Daksha ShahDr Daksha Shah deputy executive health officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC explains ldquoA vaccine is a biological substance designed to stimulate the immune system There are different types of vaccines the most common ones being ndash liveattenuated vaccine and inactivated vaccineLive vaccines use a weakened or attenuated form of the germ that causes a disease These vaccines are similar to the natural infection and they help prevent it They also create a strong and longlasting immune responseHowever the drawback of live vaccines is that they cannot be administered on people with a weak immune system Therefore patients who have gone through hearttransplant patients on steroids HIV positive patients etc should consult their doctor before getting a live vaccineCovishield a covid vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India is a liveattenuated vaccineInactivated vaccines use the killed version of the germ that causes a disease Inactivated vaccines are usually slower and less strong than live vaccines So one may need several doses over time booster shots in order to get ongoing immunity against diseasesCovaxin developed by Bharat Biotech is an inactivated vaccinerdquoWho can take vaccinesldquoMost influenza vaccines are inactivated vaccines and they can are safe for almost everyone However like I mentioned earlier people with compromised immunity for example hearttransplant patients HIV positive patients patients on steroids or Hepatitis patients are advised to consult their doctor before taking the jab Each vaccine has different indications and types and different guidelines are issued for their administrationrdquo explains Dr ShahWhat risks do comorbid people faceDr Santosh Kumar DoraDr Santosh Kumar Dora Senior Cardiologist Asian Heart Institute says ldquoAssociation of comorbid conditions makes a person more susceptible to COVID infection related complication irrespective of age group These comorbid conditions include heart failure decreased ventricular pumping function post heart transplant patients valvular heart disease congenital heart disease diabetes hypertension pulmonary artery hypertension patients with kidney and liver transplant patients needing hemodialysis use of steroids or immunosuppressant drugs liver cirrhosis significant respiratory disease ie bronchial asthma and obstructive and restrictive lung disease hematological malignancy patients with cancer or taking chemotherapy for cancer patients with bone marrow disease HIV infection patients with physical or intellectual disabilitiesWhat are the things to keep in mind before getting the COVID19 jabldquoCovid19 vaccines are by and large very safe and there is nothing to be afraid of In very few cases there may be fever headache body ache which can be very well controlled by paracetamols People who are taking blood thinners need not stop them to take the vaccine If you have anaphylaxis severe allergic reaction to 1st dose of Covid19 vaccine you are not supposed to take the second dose Pregnancy and lactating mothers are not fit for Covid19 vaccine as of now Vaccine trial results of below 18 year of age are still not out thus it is still not medically recommended to this age grouprdquo Dr Dora addsDo smokers and alcohol consumers face risksldquoSmoking affects lungs So smokers are more vulnerable to Covid19 related lung damage as they already have lung damage due to smokingrdquo says Dr Dora ldquoAlcohol decreases the bodys fighting mechanism against Covid19 infection Thus these patients are vulnerable to Covid19 infection However they can take Covid19 vaccine Smoking should be stopped completely as a part of health advisory Alcohol preferably should not be consumed during and till a few days after vaccinationrdquoWhy do we need a second dosageThe first dosage stimulates initial immune response in the body The body develops immunity against Covid19 only after 23 weeks however this immunity reduces after eight weeks The second dosage prolongs the immunity period thus making it more effacacious Many vaccines including the ones used against Polio and HepatitisB require multiple dosages for them to be effectiveFAQs on the CoWIN portalHow to registerYou can log into the CoWIN portal using the link wwwcowingovin and click on the ldquoRegisterSign In Yourselfrdquo tab to register for COVID19 vaccinationWhich age groups can register for vaccination on the CoWIN portalAt present all citizens above 60 years of age and those between the age of 45 and 59 years with one of the specified comorbidities can register for vaccination However as per government mandate all people over the age of 45 will be eligible to get vaccinated starting April 1Is online registration mandatory for COVID19 vaccinationNo Vaccination Centres also provide for a limited number of onspot registration slots every day However it is recommended to register online and schedule vaccination in advance for a hasslefree vaccination experienceHow many people can be registered in the CoWIN portal through one mobile numberUp to 4 people can be registered for vaccination using the same mobile numberIs there any registration charge to be paidNo There is no registration chargeIs it necessary to take second dose of vaccinationYes It is recommended that both doses of vaccine should be taken for realising the full benefit of vaccination Both doses must be of the same vaccine typeWill the second dose appointment be automatically scheduled by CoWIN systemNo You have to take an appointment for the second dose vaccination The CoWIN system will help you book an appointment in a Vaccination Centre where the same vaccine is being administered as the vaccine type COVAXIN or COVISHIELD of the first doseWhat precautions should I take at the time of second dose vaccinationThe Vaccination Centres have been directed to ensure that if a citizen is being vaccinated with second dose they should confirm that the first dose vaccination was done with the same vaccine as is being offered at the time of second dose and that the first dose was administered more than 28 days ago You should share the correct information about the vaccine type and the date of first dose vaccination with the vaccinator You should carry your vaccine certificate issued after the first doseWhom to contact in case of side effects from vaccination You can call on the national helpline lsquo1075rsquo for information and guidance if you experience any side effects post COVID19 vaccination You may also contact the Vaccination Centre where you took vaccination for adviceIs vaccination free at all vaccination centresNo Vaccination is free at Government hospitals and charged up to Rs 250 per dose in Private hospitals Citizens can get this information on the CoWIN portal while booking an appointmentCan the vaccine be chosenAll vaccines being offered are safe Choice regarding the type of vaccine is currently not available