Comparing ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Coronavirus Vaccine (Recombinant) (Covishield) and BBV152; Bharat Biotech COVID-19 Vaccine (Covaxin) for COVID-19: Reports of Adverse Events Following Vaccination among the Indian Population

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is declared a global pandemic by the WHO; vaccines were the need of the hour to reduce mortality and return to some form of normal life. The Indian government provides two vaccines as per the program; ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBV152; Bharat Biotech COVID-19 vaccine. However, vaccine hesitancy is a major public health concern.

Objective: To evaluate the adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) after COVID-19 vaccination. The safety profile of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBV152 vaccine was also studied.

Materials and methods: This was a large-scale, cross-sectional survey. Beneficiaries who had their vaccination in the past 2 weeks were sent an online survey performa regarding AEFIs after COVID-19 vaccine.

Results: Out of 2311 participants, 58% received ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 and 42% received BBV152 COVID-19 vaccine, with the mean ± standard deviation age (years) of 36.3 ± 14.5 and 16.9 ± 4.07, respectively. The previous history of COVID-19 infection was reported in 7% of the participants. In the ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 group, 85.3% participants reported at least one adverse reaction, with pain at site being the most common, followed by fever, fatigue, and feeling of unwellness. In the BBV152 group, 17% reported adverse reaction, with pain site being the most common, followed by tenderness, fatigue, and feeling of unwellness. In the BBV152 group, a significant positive association was observed between AEFIs and age. In the ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 group, age was marginally associated with AEFIs. AEFIs were more after first dose (121 vs. 43, P < 0.001, adjusted odds ratio (OR) =3.39 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.24-5.11], P < 0.001) among elderly (adjusted OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.36-0.99, P = 0.047) and women (721 vs. 423, P = 0.001, adjusted OR = 1.68 [95% CI: 1.24-2.29], P = 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study observed that both ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BBV152 have a favorable safety profile without serious AEFIs in any of the beneficiaries.