COVID Vaccination: Most Indians Experienced No Or Mild Side Effects After Covishield & Covaxin Doses, Says Survey

This is a very extensive study on side effects of COVID vaccines with over 40,000 responses from citizens across 381 districts of India.

Representative Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The COVID-19 vaccines available in India are an important weapon against the nation's battle against the Coronavirus pandemic. While more and more citizens get inoculated, people are seeking information about side effects experienced post vaccination.

Taking cognisance of these concerns, LocalCircles conducted a nationwide survey to better understand what citizens have experienced after first and second dose of COVAXIN and COVISHIELD vaccines. 

The survey received more than 40,000 responses from citizens residing in 381 districts of India. 62 per cent of respondents were men while 38 per cent of respondents were women. 44 per cent respondents were from tier 1, 31 per cent from tier 2 and 25 per cent of respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

COVISHIELD 

70 per cent who took COVISHIELD first dose experienced no or mild side effects 
When asked if those inoculated with the first dose of Covishield experienced symptoms or side effects within 24-48 houses after taking the jab, 44 per cent of citizens surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. There were, however, 13 per cent of citizens who said they experienced sore arm, 6 per cent were fatigue, and had fever.

On an aggregate basis, 70 per cent of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects — sore arm and fatigue — which were mild, after taking the first dose of Covishield. 
 

29 per cent who took COVISHIELD first dose experienced fever; 1 per cent reported getting COVID infection
If the data of those citizens taking the first dose of Covisheld is further analysed, it indicates that 34 per cent reported “sore arm”, 33 per cent were “fatigue”, 29 per cent had a “fever”, and 1 per cent suffered post vaccine “COVID infection”. Notably, none of the citizens surveyed who had taken the first dose of Covishield reported facing a serious condition.

 

75 per cent who took COVISHIELD second dose experienced no or mild side effects; 4 per cent reported COVID infection post-inoculation

When asked if those inoculated with the second dose of Covishield experienced symptoms or side effects within 24-48 houses after taking the jab, only 1 per cent of respondents faced some serious condition, and 4 per cent had post-vaccine “COVID infection”. 

On the other hand, 56 per cent of respondents surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. This question in the survey received 10,296 responses. There were, 9 per cent of respondents who said they experienced sore arm, 5 per cent were fatigue, and 7 per cent had fever. 

Similarly, when the data of those citizens taking the second dose of Covisheld was analysed, it was found out that 24 per cent had “sore arm”, 23 per cent reported “fatigue”, 20 per cent had a “fever”, 4 per cent reported post vaccine “COVID infection”, and 1 per cent reported having faced some serious condition.

 COVAXIN

 64 per cent who took COVAXIN first dose experienced no or mild side effects
Among thoe who receieved the first dose of Covaxin, only 1 per cent of beneficiaries tfaced some serious condition. On the other hand, 36 per cent of respondents said they did not experience any side effects. There were 15 per cent of beneficiaries who said they experienced sore arm, 5 per cent were fatigue, and 18 per cent had fever. 

On an aggregate basis, 64 per cent of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects—sore arm or fatigue—which were mild, after taking the first dose of Covaxin. This question in the survey received 10,190 responses.

30 per cent who took COVAXIN first dose experienced fever; 1 per cent reported having a more serious condition than fever
When the symptoms of those taking the first dose of Covaxin were analysed, it was found out that 35 per cent experienced “sore arm”, another 35 per cent reported “fatigue”, and 30 per cent had a “fever”. Notably, none of the citizens who have taken their first dose of Covaxin reported having a post-vaccine COVID infection.

 

78 per cent who took COVAXIN second dose experienced no or mild side effects; 2 per cent reported 'COVID infection'
As for the second dose of Covaxin, 3 per cent of citizens taking the second jab faced some serious condition, and 2 per cent reported post vaccine “COVID infection”. 52 per cent of people surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. There were, however, 10 per cent who said they experienced sore arm, 6 per cent were fatigue, and 8 per cent had fever. On an aggregate basis, 78 per cent of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects — sore arm or fatigue after taking the second dose of Covaxin. This question in the survey received 10,108 responses.
 

17 per cent Indians who took COVAXIN second dose experienced fever; 2 per cent reported getting “COVID infection”
17 per cent Indians who took COVAXIN second dose experienced fever; 2 per cent reported getting post vaccine “COVID infection” while 3 per cent reported having a more serious condition than fever
Similarly, after analysis of symptoms of those citizens taking the second dose of Covaxin, it was found out that 27 per cent experienced “sore arm”, 25 per cent reported “fatigue”, and 17 per cent had a “fever”. There were also 3 per cent of citizens who faced “other serious condition”, and 2 per cent had post vaccine “COVID infection”.

As for the second dose of Covaxin, 3 per cent of citizens taking the second jab faced some serious condition, and 2 per cent reported post vaccine “COVID infection”. 52 per cent of people surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. This question in the survey received 10,108 responses.
 
Similarly, after analysis of symptoms of those citizens taking the second dose of Covaxin, it was found out that 27 per cent experienced “sore arm”, 25 per cent reported “fatigue”, and 17 per cent had a “fever”. There were also 3 per cent of citizens who faced “other serious condition”, and 2 per cent had post vaccine “COVID infection”.

These findings are not based on any medical reports from vaccination centers but real-life experiences of what citizens experienced post-vaccination. This survey by LocalCircles applies the findings from approximately 40,000 responses to analyse people's experience of taking 1st and 2nd dose of Covaxin and Covishield.