Side effects of vaccines usually mild, efficacy against Delta-plus not known

What are the side effects of sputnik V?

Sputnik is a safe vaccine according to the manufacturer, common side effects may include vaccination site tenderness, flu like symptoms, runny nose, cough, headache, body pains, tiredness and fever. Some people may have side effects such as sore throat, impaired taste, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, muscle or joint pains and ache. This is uncommon. Dizziness may occur rarely.

Should one take paracetamol before or after going for the shot to avoid side effects?

Paracetamol may be taken if a person has fever, body pain or joint pains and a flu like illness after the vaccination. These symptoms may occur 12-24 hours after vaccination. Routine consumption of paracetamol before the vaccine is not advised as not all vaccinated persons develop these symptoms.

It’s said vaccines currently available to Indians are safe and effective but still, comparisons mostly show covishield to be better. Which vaccine is most effective against the delta-plus variant, and with more variants expected in the third wave, which vaccine would give better response?

We need to gather more information through studies on vaccine effectiveness against the delta variants. It is likely that all currently available vaccines may have a diminished effectiveness against the delta and the delta-plus variants so unfortunately, it is difficult to recommend a specific vaccines to prevent the third wave.

Dr V Ramasubramanian

(Infectious Diseases Expert, Apollo Hospitals)

Can psoriasis patients take the vaccine?

Yes, can take the vaccine. The expert guidance recommends that patients with psoriasis should be immunised against covid-19 as soon as the vaccine is made available to them. The only time you should not take the vaccine is if you are allergic to any component of it. If you had a bad, potentially life threatening allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) to your first dose, you should not take your second dose.

Also if you are immunocompromised, you must continue to be careful even after vaccination. This is because the protection you receive from the vaccine may not be as good as in somebody who does not have these illnesses.

What are the vaccination guidelines for students going abroad this fall?

On june 7, the union health ministry issued the latest standard operating procedures the latest standard operating procedures for vaccination of students going abroad.

As per the guidelines, people undertaking international travel for education or employment will be given permission to receive the second dose of covishield before completion of the minimum interval of 84 days from the first dose, and cowin certificates will be linked to their passports.

If necessary, the competent authority can issue another certificate linking the vaccination certificates with the passport number of the beneficiary. This facility is available to only those who need to undertake international travel for specified purposes (study, job and/ or Tokyo Olympics) rill august 31,2021.

                                                                                                                                                Dr Naveen Thacker

Former Representative To Gavi,

And Presidentelect Of Internation Paediatric Association

If Pregnant Ladies Who Took A Shot Before Pregnant, Should Go For Her Second Dose?

Due to the lack of available safety data, the government guidelines currently do not extend vaccination to pregnant women. Therefore, should not take the second dose. However, do not worry, as first shot will provide her protection against covid-19. Moreover, the government hopes to clarify the situation is a few days based on new scientific inputs.

                                                                                            -Dr Sonal Kumta

Senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, forrtis hospital