Bharat Biotech issues Covaxin fact sheet; advises pregnant women, people with allergies, fever to avoid vaccine shot

Bharat Biotech has released a fact sheet on the risks and benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. 

In the fact sheet, the company has issued a set of cautionary guidelines for people with certain conditions who, it said, should consult with their vaccine provider before taking Covaxin shot.

The company in the fact sheet on Covaxin, posted in its website said those suffering from allergies, fever, or a bleeding disorder, pregnant or breastfeeding women, among other conditions, should avoid taking the vaccine.

The vaccine maker said the clinical efficacy of the vaccine is yet to be established and is being studied in Phase 3 clinical trial and hence it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean other precautions related to COVID- 19 need not be followed.

The fact sheet also listed side effects that include pain, site swelling, site redness, site itching, stiffness in the upper arm, weakness in injection arm, body ache, headache, fever, rashes, nausea and vomiting.

The fact sheet said there is a remote chance that the Covaxin could cause a severe allergic reaction. “For this reason, your vaccination provider will ask you to stay for 30 minutes after each dose of vaccination at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination,” said vaccine maker.