Majority Indians experienced no or mild side effects post the two doses of COVISHIELD and COVAXIN

August 26, 2021, New Delhi: The COVID-19 vaccines that are available in India are expected to minimise the impact of the infection on individuals, and also reduce chances of needing intensive care. In the last 4 months as vaccination opened for all adults, there has been a surge in the number of posts and comments from citizens on LocalCircles, seeking information from others on side effects experienced post vaccination or sharing their experiences.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has clarified that a person could be infected with SARS-CoV-2 just before or after vaccination and still get sick with COVID-19. Reports suggest that COVID breakthrough cases are generally being recorded amongst people after they received the second dose of Covaxin or Covishield. In one of the districts in Kerala, per reports citing a collector, more than 5,000 people turned positive after taking both doses of vaccine. It added that more details are being assessed if this is a case of vaccine failure or whether there is any other element at work.

Taking cognisance of posts and comments from citizens on the LocalCircles platform vis-à-vis media reports about side effects following vaccination, LocalCircles conducted a nationwide survey to better understand what citizens have experienced after 1st and 2nd dose of COVAXIN and COVISHIELD vaccines. The survey received more than 40,000 responses from citizens residing in 381 districts of India. 62% respondents were me while 38% respondents were women. 44% respndents were from tier 1, 31% from tier 2 and 25% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

70% Indians who took COVISHIELD 1st dose experienced no or mild side effects

The first question in the survey tried to find out if citizens inoculated with the 1st dose of Covishield experienced symptoms or side effects within 24-48 houses after taking the jab. In response, only 1% of citizens taking the 1st jab of Covishield had the COVID infection thereafter. On the other hand, 44% of citizens surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. There were, however, 13% of citizens who said they experienced (1) sore arm, 6% were (2) fatigue, and 9% had (3) fever. Breaking down the poll, 7% experienced “1 & 2” side effects from the aforementioned options, 6% faced “2 & 3” side effects, while 14% faced all “1, 2 & 3” side effects. On an aggregate basis, 70% of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects—sore arm and fatigue—which were mild, after taking the 1st dose of Covishield. This question in the survey received 10,043 responses.

29% Indians who took COVISHIELD 1st dose experienced fever; 1% reported getting COVID infection

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

75% Indians who took COVISHIELD 2nd dose experienced no or mild side effects; 4% reported COVID infection thereafter

Similarly, the next question in the survey tried to find out if citizens inoculated with the 2nd dose of Covishield experienced symptoms or side effects within 24-48 houses after taking the jab. In response, only 1% of citizens taking the 2nd jab of Covishield faced some serious condition, and 4% had post vaccine “COVID infection”. On the other hand, 56% of citizens surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. There were, 9% of citizens who said they experienced (1) sore arm, 5% were (2) fatigue, and 7% had (3) fever. Breaking down the poll, 5% experienced “1 & 2” side effects from the aforementioned options, 3% faced “2 & 3” side effects, while 10% faced all “1, 2 & 3” side effects. On an aggregate basis, 75% of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects—sore arm and fatigue—which were mild, after taking the 2nd dose of Covishield. This question in the survey received 10,296 responses.

20% Indians who took COVISHIELD 2nd dose experienced fever; 4% reported getting post vaccine “COVID infection” while 1% reported having a more serious condition than fever

Similarly, when the data of those citizens taking the 2nd dose of Covisheld was analysed, it was found out that 24% had “sore arm”, 23% reported “fatigue”, 20% had a “fever”, 4% reported post vaccine “COVID infection”, and 1% reported having faced some serious condition.

64% Indians who took COVAXIN 1st dose experienced no or mild side effects

The next question in the survey sought to find out from citizens inoculated with the 1st dose of Covaxin experienced symptoms or side effects within 24-48 houses after taking the jab. In response, only 1% of citizens taking the 1st jab of Covaxin faced some serious condition. On the other hand, 36% of citizens surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. There were 15% of citizens who said they experienced (1) sore arm, 5% were (2) fatigue, and 18% had (3) fever. Breaking down the poll, 8% experienced “1 & 2” side effects from the aforementioned options, 5% faced “2 & 3” side effects, while 12% faced all “1, 2 & 3” side effects. On an aggregate basis, 64% of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects—sore arm or fatigue—which were mild, after taking the 1st dose of Covaxin. This question in the survey received 10,190 responses.

30% Indians who took COVAXIN 1st dose experienced fever; 1% reported having a more serious condition than fever

When analysed the symptoms of those citizens taking the 1st dose of Covaxin, it was found out that 35% experienced “sore arm”, another 35% reported “fatigue”, and 30% had a “fever”. Notably, none of the citizens who have taken their 1st dose of Covaxin reported having a post vaccine “COVID infection”.

78% Indians who took COVAXIN 2nd dose experienced no or mild side effects; 2% reported COVID infection

Similarly, the survey sought to find out from citizens inoculated with the 2nd dose of Covaxin about symptoms or side effects they experienced within 24-48 houses after taking the jab. In response, 3% of citizens taking the 2nd jab of Covaxin faced some serious condition, and 2% reported post vaccine “COVID infection”. On the other hand, 52% of citizens surveyed said they did not experience any side effects. There were, however, 10% of citizens who said they experienced (1) sore arm, 6% were (2) fatigue, and 8% had (3) fever. Breaking down the poll, 10% experienced “1 & 2” side effects from the aforementioned options, 2% faced “2 & 3” side effects, while 7% faced all “1, 2 & 3” side effects. On an aggregate basis, 78% of citizens surveyed experienced no or mild side effects—sore arm or fatigue after taking the 2nd dose of Covaxin. This question in the survey received 10,108 responses.

17% Indians who took COVAXIN 2nd dose experienced fever; 2% reported getting post vaccine “COVID infection” while 3% reported having a more serious condition than fever

Similarly, after analysis of symptoms of those citizens taking the 2nd dose of Covaxin, it was found out that 27% experienced “sore arm”, 25% reported “fatigue”, and 17% had a “fever”. There were also 3% of citizens who faced “other serious condition”, and 2% had post vaccine “COVID infection”.

If the feedback citizens taking the 1st dose of Covishield and Covaxin is compared, it indicates that while 30% of those who took 1st dose of Covishield experienced fever or other conditions, 36% of those who took 1st dose of Covaxin experienced fever or other conditions. None of the citizens surveyed experienced a serious condition after taking the 1st dose of Covishield, however, 29% had a fever, and 1% had COVID infection post vaccination. On the other hand, none of the citizens surveyed experienced COVID infection after taking the 1st dose of Covaxin, however, 30% had a fever, and 1% had some serious conditon. 70% of citizens inoculated with the 1st dose of Covishield and 64% with Covaxin did not experience any major side effects.

Similarly, the survey also analysed the data of those citizens taking the 2nd dose of India-made vaccines. 25% of those who took 2nd dose of Covishield experienced fever or other conditions while 22% of those who took 2nd dose of Covaxin experienced fever or other conditions. Only 1% experienced a serious condition after taking the 2nd dose of Covishield, however, 20% had a fever, and 4% had post vaccine “COVID infection”. On the other hand, 3% of the citizens surveyed experienced a serious condition after taking the 2nd dose of Covaxin, 17% had a fever, and 2% had post vaccine “COVID infection”. 75% of citizens inoculated with the 2nd dose of Covishield and 78% with Covaxin did not experience any major side effects.

In summary, 70% of Indians after taking the 1st dose of Covishield and 64% with Covaxin experienced no or mild side effects. Similarly, 75% inoculated with the 2nd dose of Covishield and 78% with Covaxin experienced no or mild side effects. However, 4% of citizens taking the 2nd dose of Covishield and 2% with Covaxin have reported having COVID infection.

With India having inoculated close to 45 crore citizens with 1st dose of COVISHIELD or COVAXIN and close to 15 crore citizens with 2nd dose of COVISHIELD or COVAXIN, there exists plenty of data through which detailed analysis of side effects could be done especially on serioud conditions faced and breakthrough infections. The Government must enable a process where a post vaccination questionnaire is sent over SMS asking those innoculated about what they are experiencing post 1 day, 3 days, 7 and 14 days of taking the dose. Such data can then be utilised and published for the consumption of experts as well as the citizenry. Such information and awareness is likely to help India reduce vaccine hesitancy where per LocalCircles estimates 16 crore adult citizens are currently vaccine hesitant.

Survey Demographics

The survey received more than 40,000 responses from citizens residing in 381 districts of India. 62% respondents were me while 38% respondents were women. 44% respndents were from tier 1, 31% from tier 2 and 25% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts. The survey was conducted via LocalCircles platform, and all participants were validated citizens who had to be registered with LocalCircles to participate in this survey.