COVID-19 Vaccine (Covishield)

Covishield (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) is a viral vector vaccine developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India. It was the primary vaccine used in India's COVID-19 vaccination programme. It uses a modified chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein gene to stimulate immunity.

The COVID-19 Vaccine (Covishield) is recommended for 12+ years. It falls under the COVID-19 vaccine category. Consult your doctor to confirm if this vaccine is right for you based on your health history and existing immunity.

The COVID-19 Vaccine (Covishield) has an efficacy of 66-90% against symptomatic COVID-19; >90% against severe disease and hospitalization. This means it provides significant protection against COVID-19 disease (caused by SARS-CoV-2) and Severe COVID-19. Efficacy may vary based on age, health status, and the specific strain encountered.

Common side effects include: Very common: Injection site pain/tenderness; fatigue; headache; myalgia. These are typically mild and resolve within 1–3 days. Serious allergic reactions are rare — if you experience difficulty breathing, hives, or rapid heartbeat after vaccination, seek emergency care immediately.

The COVID-19 Vaccine (Covishield) should be avoided by: Previous VITT or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); severe allergy to polysorbate 80 or prior dose anaphylaxis. Note: mRNA vaccine preferred for those at risk for VITT.. Always inform your healthcare provider of your full medical history before vaccination.

The COVID-19 Vaccine (Covishield) typically costs ₹780 (private) / Free (Govt) in India. Government health centres may offer it free or at subsidised prices for eligible age groups. Private hospitals and clinics may charge differently. Additional fees may apply for administration.