During the last 20 months, incredible scientific advances have been seen in the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines and other measures have had a significant impact in reducing the incidence of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

The COVID 19-vaccines can keep you from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. And COVID-19 vaccines also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. Also Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you. 

In this edition of the article series, we shall find out more about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and its effects on the global and local community.

How does the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine work? 

It is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to contain genetic material shared by the coronavirus – although it does not give you a disease. Instead, they teach your body’s immune system to recognize and fight the infection they have been designed to protect against.

Actually, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine uses a harmless virus altered to look a lot more like the pandemic virus.

Who can get the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine?

The recommended dosage of the AstraZeneca vaccine is two doses given intramuscularly (0.5ml each) with an interval of 8 to 12 weeks. 

Anyone above the age of 18 including persons that have been identified as increasing the risk of severe COVID-19 with conditions such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes are recommended to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

It is also recommended for pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers to get vaccinated when the risk of vaccination outweighs the risk of severe COVID-19. However, as the data of efficacy for this group is less than sufficient it is advised to get advice from a health care provider before getting vaccinated.

Kids below the age of 18 are not recommended to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine as further testing of the age group is needed to analyze its effect on youngsters. It is highly not recommended for persons with allergic reactions to any ingredient the vaccine is composed of.

How effective is the vaccine in fighting COVID-19?

After much research and testing were done, it has been mentioned that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has an efficacy of 63.09% against the symptomatic SARS-coV-2 virus. It has also been found that longer dose intervals within the 8 to 12 weeks range are associated with greater vaccine efficacy.

Why do we feel some illness after vaccination?

Some people do experience mild to moderate symptoms after being vaccinated. It’s normal to experience side effects after the vaccine. This is not the disease itself, but the body’s response to the vaccine.

Common reactions that may affect fever, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, diarrhea, and pain at the injection site. However, not everyone gets them. If you feel uncomfortable, you can rest and take paracetamol. Make sure you take paracetamol as directed on the label or leaflet. 

Why do we need to get vaccinated? 

It is more than a year since the virus first emerged, yet many people are still vulnerable. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against infectious diseases. And they strengthen your immune system by training it to recognize and fight against COVID-19.

When you get vaccinated, you are protecting yourself and helping to protect the whole community. When enough people in the community are vaccinated, it slows down the spread of disease. Vaccination will reduce the health, social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most important reason to get vaccinated is that it will help save lives and livelihoods.

Written by Rtr. Himaransi Rajapaksha