Covishield vs Covaxin vs Sputnik V Efficacy: The nationwide vaccination drive started in India from January 16, 2021. The vaccination started with Covishield and Covaxin. However, recently Russia's Sputnik V vaccine has also been added to the list. Now, in the midst of this scenario, the people are confused regarding which vaccine is better and more effective than the others. Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog and Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences have addressed various doubts people have regarding COVID-19 vaccines on June 6, 2021 where this issue of vaccination was also addressed.

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Dr. Guleria informed that it is important to understand that one must not judge the efficacy of the vaccines only by the amount of antibodies getting generated. He added, "Vaccines give many types of protection - such as through antibodies, cell-mediated immunity and memory cells (which generate more antibodies when we get infected).  Moreover, the efficacy results which have come so far are based on trial studies, where the study design of each trial is somewhat different."

Dr. Guleria further noted that according to available data, the efficacy of all the vaccines available in India, that is, Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V, are more or less the same. He said, "We should not hence say take this vaccine or that vaccine, whichever vaccine is available in your area, please go ahead and get yourself vaccinated so that you and your family are safe."

Dr. Paul assured that though some people go and get antibody test done after vaccination, it is not required to be done for the simple fact that antibodies alone do not indicate the immunity of a person. He explained that this is because of the fact that T-cells or memory cells certain changes after vaccination. He added, "T-Cells are not detected by antibody tests as these are found in bone marrow. Hence, our appeal is to not fall in the tendency of doing antibody tests either before or after getting vaccinated, take the vaccine, which is available, take both doses at the right time and follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour."

While addressing the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the central government will provide free vaccine to all Indian citizens above 18 years of age from June 21, 2021, onwards. On Tuesday, the Union Ministry has announced price caps for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in private hospitals. the prices for Covishield and Covaxin have been fixed at Rs 780 and Rs 1410, respectively while the price of Sputnik V has been capped at Rs 1145 at the private hospitals.

Speaking of the COVID-19 situation in the country, India has recorded 92,596 new cases in last 24 hours as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ( MoHFW). So far, 23.9 Cr. vaccine doses have been administered under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.