The vaccination drive for COVID19 will soon begin in India.
Things to know:
➡️Why get vaccinated?
➡️Misconceptions
➡️Vaccines In India
➡️Vaccine Priority
➡️Process of Vaccination
➡️Co-WIN website/app
➡️Side-effects/AEFI
➡️Communication
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➡️Why Get Vaccinated?
>Prevention of COVID19 infection.
>Prevention of the long term health risks of COVID19 infection.
>92 million cases and 1.9 million deaths due to COVID by now.
>Vaccine + Masks and Distancing are essential to curb the pandemic.
>You cannot compare the 98-99% recovery rate with 95% vaccine efficacy. If you still want to - understand this: Vaccine reduces chances of mortality from 1% to 0.05%.
>Vaccines will NOT cause any mutations in your body.
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>Vaccine Hesitancy needs to be addressed.
>It can stem from lack of correct information/understanding, mistrust, apprehension of side effects, propaganda by anti-vaxxers, etc.
Guidance and instructions for the next phase will be announced in due course by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC).
Meanwhile, here's an information sheet from the MoHFW for those <50 yrs of age.
1. Registration* of the beneficiary on the Co-WIN app. 2. Verification of photo ID proof at the vaccination site with that uploaded on the app. 3. Vaccination. 4. 30 mins observation
*Registration is mandatory for getting vaccinated.
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➡️Co-WIN website/app
>Co-WIN is an extension of the existing electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (e-VIN) - made specifically for COVID vaccination.
>It has 2 modules - Website and App.
>The app is under development and will soon be available for download.
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FEATURES:
While Co-WIN has extensive functionalities for the authorities, it has few important uses for the beneficiaries:
> Info about vaccination
> Self-registration for vaccination
> Track status of vaccination
> Report AEFI
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➡️Side effects/AEFI
Probably the single largest concern responsible for Vaccine Hesitancy is the fear/apprehension of Side Effects or Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI).
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➡️What should you expect?
>Mild side effects are common and expected to occur and they are self-resolving. You need not worry about those.
>Adverse events like allergic reactions/anaphylaxis are much rare. They DO NOT occur in all recipients.
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➡️AEFI Reporting
> You will be observed for 30 mins after vaccination to look for and manage any immediate severe reactions like anaphylaxis.
>In the following days, you must report any other symptoms/discomfort to the authorities and get investigated.
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➡️AEFI Investigation
>AEFI are investigated and then assessed as per the WHO guidelines to determine the cause.
>It is important to understand whether it is vaccine-related or not.
>Many times, AEFI can occur due to other reasons as well, as shown in the image.
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➡️Communication
>Essential to spread correct and reliable information about vaccines.
>Also to counter misinformation spread by fake experts or anti-vaxxers.
Here is an excellent handbook developed by Prof @STWorg and Prof @adamhfinn.
>Vaccination will shortly begin in India.
>Registration on Co-WIN is mandatory.
>Vaccines are safe - with common, mild side effects.
>Adverse events, if any - must be reported.
>Guard against misinformation and educate others with correct, reliable info.
➡️ What is Long COVID?
➡️ Who can get Long COVID?
➡️ Why does Long COVID occur?
➡️ Symptoms of Long COVID
➡️ Some literature on Long COVID
➡️ Concerns about Long COVID
➡️ Instructions for the Common Man
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➡️ What is Long COVID?
> A large number of COVID19 patients suffer from long lasting effects of the infection
> Characterized by a constellation of symptoms involving multiple systems in the body for >28 days
> Leading to increased morbidity even after "apparent recovery"
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➡️News/Updates - India
➡️Different Vaccines, Different Mechanisms
➡️Time-frame and Roll-out
➡️What To Expect?
➡️Got Vaccinated. What now?
➡️Adverse Reactions???
➡️Countering Misinformation
> @pfizer has applied for Emergency Approval in India.
> @BharatBiotech COVAXIN - Phase 3 trials.
> @ZydusUniverse ZyCoV-D - Expected to start Phase 3 trials in Dec/Jan
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➡️Different Vaccines, Different Mechanisms
Here's a look at how the major vaccines work -
> Pfizer and Moderna - mRNA
> Oxford/AstraZeneca - Chimpanzee Adenoviral vector
> Bharat Biotech - Inactivated Vaccine
> Zydus Cadila - Plasmid DNA
Some background: Many LMIC member nations, including India, South Africa, are bidding the @wto to waive certain Patent Protections on the @pfizer and @moderna_tx vaccines so that they can manufacture the generic versions of the vaccines on their own for wider distribution.
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"It’s not clear developing countries even have the ability to manufacture large-scale, complex technologies like Moderna’s mRNA vaccine or Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody cocktail—let alone distribute them."
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