Oxford-AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective against the U.K and Brazilian variants, assures India

Amid the concerns regarding the side-effects of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine, the government of India has assured that the Oxford-AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine (Covishield) is safe and effective against the UK and Brazilian variants which is considered more contagious and that each also has the potential to re-infect those who had been previously infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The adverse event following immunization committee has “concluded that thrombosis events due to Covishield in India is not a problem”.

“There is no signal whatsoever for this concern. Covishield is safe, please proceed with its scale-up and uptake. We want to assure that there is no risk of blood clotting-related complications that were suspected in some nations with Covishield,” Dr VK Paul NITI Aayog member (Health) said in response to a query at a press meet.

ICMR Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava has said that both Covishield and Covaxin are effective against the UK and the Brazilian variants, the LiveMint reported.

“It is well established by research studies in published literature that the vaccines available in our country — both Covishield and Covaxin — are effective against the UK and the Brazilian variants, he said.

“The research work regarding the South African variant is ongoing at the moment,” he added.

Paul said the people not to doubt the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines.

“Please don’t spread doubt. As of today, these vaccines work on the good old virus as well as the new variants,” he said.

He urged the people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and use vaccination as a tool to battle this second peak.