This
is my third
blog on COVID19 vaccine. In this one, I will give you more information
about AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1-S) is used to prevent
COVID-19. This disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Canada has authorized 2 manufacturers of the
ChAdOx1-S vaccine:
- AstraZeneca
(brand name AstraZeneca COVID-19
Vaccine)
- Verity
Pharmaceuticals and Serum Institute of India (SII) in collaboration with
AstraZeneca (brand name COVISHIELD Vaccine)
AstraZeneca
COVID‐19
Vaccine (manufactured by AstraZeneca) and COVISHIELD (manufactured by Serum
Institute of India) are ChAdOx1-S recombinant vaccines developed by AstraZeneca
and Oxford University. Health Canada has reviewed the manufacturing information
for these vaccines and found them to be comparable.
The vaccine is approved for people who are 18 years of age and
older. Its safety and effectiveness in people younger than 18 years of age have
not yet been established.
Health Canada authorized both applications for this vaccine with
conditions on February 26, 2021
Ingredients
Medicinal
ingredient
Adenovirus
vector vaccine
Non-medicinal
ingredients
disodium
edetate dihydrate (EDTA)
ethanol
L-histidine
L-histidine
hydrochloride monohydrate
magnesium
chloride hexahydrate
polysorbate 80
sodium chloride
sucrose
water for injection
How it works
Viral
vector-based vaccines use a harmless virus, such as an adenovirus, as a
delivery system. This “vector” virus is not the virus that causes COVID-19.
Adenoviruses are among the viruses that can cause the common cold. There are
many different types of adenoviruses, and many have been used as delivery
systems for other vector-based vaccines for decades.
When a person
is given the vaccine, the vector virus contained within the vaccine produces
the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein is found on the surface of the virus
that causes COVID-19. This protein will not make you sick. It does its job and
goes away.
Through this
process, the body is able to build a strong immune response against the spike
protein without exposing you to the virus that causes COVID-19.
How it’s given
The vaccine is
given by 2 separate injections of 0.5 mL each into the muscle of the arm. For
the vaccine to work best, you need to get 2 doses: a first dose and then a
second dose 4 to 12 weeks later.
Immunity
develops over time. It takes about 2 weeks to develop significant protection
against COVID-19. For the greatest protection, you will need the second
dose.
The AstraZeneca
COVID-19 vaccine showed an effectiveness of about 62% in preventing symptomatic
COVID-19 disease beginning 2 weeks after the second dose. This effectiveness
rate is based on an analysis of results from participants who had received the
2 dose regimen that will be used in Canada.
Possible side effects
In general, the
side effects observed during the clinical trials are similar to what you might
have with other vaccines.
The side
effects that followed vaccine administration in clinical trials were mild or
moderate. They included things like pain at the site of injection, body chills,
feeling tired and feeling feverish.
These are
common side effects of vaccines and do not pose a risk to health.
As with all
vaccines, there’s a chance that there will be a serious side effect, but these
are rare. A serious side effect might be something like an allergic reaction.
Speak with your health professional about any serious allergies or other health
conditions you may have before you receive this vaccine. Very rare cases of
blood clots with low platelets have been reported. Learn more about this rare
possible side effect.
