The first coronavirus vaccine in Ukraine: what you need to know about AstraZeneca

has compiled all the information about the British coronavirus vaccine AstraZeneca.

A series of articles on coronavirus vaccines from :

• Indian vaccine Covishield;
• German Pfizer/BioNTech;
• American Moderna;
• Russian Sputnik V;
• Chinese Sinovac;

AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine provides a good level of protection against covid. Main trials have shown that the vaccine is about 60% effective. At the same time, side effects are mild to moderately severe and disappear within a few days.

Plus, none of the ingredients can trigger the coronavirus. Also, according to preliminary analysis, the incidence of covid has decreased in those who received the vaccine.

At the same time, it is not yet known how effective it is for those who have already had coronavirus.

Also, the vaccine can be administered to people with weakened immunity. In addition, no risk to breastfeeding is expected after vaccination, however, it is worth consulting the doctor prior to vaccination.

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The most common possible side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine were:

• pain,
• redness,
• itching
• edema,
• bruising at the injection site
• fatigue,
• chills or fever,
• headache,
• nausea,
• joint pain or muscle pain.

More than one in ten people experienced side effects.

Vomiting and diarrhea were also reported in fewer than one in ten people. Also, a decrease in appetite, dizziness, sweating, abdominal pain, and a rash were recorded in a minimal amount.

Denmark has suspended the vaccination campaign with AstraZeneca. This has been done as a precautionary measure while a full investigation of reports of blood clots in people who received the vaccine continues, including one case when a person died. Several other EU states have also suspended vaccination with this drug. But according to the EMA, the vaccine does not increase the risk of blood clots. Its use can be continued.

Read also: From allergy to death: what are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, and which ones are the norm

CoviShield is analogous to AstraZeneca. The latter have entered into an agreement with the Serum Institute of India. The agreement concerns the production of the vaccine under the AstraZeneca license.

Indian-made AstraZeneca was named CoviShield.

The first vaccination against coronavirus with the drug CoviShield was given in Ukraine on February 24. In Kyiv, the vaccination process began on February 25.

On March 25, 2021, the AstraZeneca vaccine officially changed its name to Vaxzevria. This was due to the refusal to use the vaccine because of cases of blood clots and blood clotting disorders in people who received the vaccine. Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Ireland did not resume the use of the vaccine even after the EMA report assuring that there was no evidence that blood clots were caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Changing the name will not change the product itself, but the packaging may change.

On April 21, Ukraine registered the vaccine from AstraZeneca produced in South Korea by SK Bioscience. The drug will arrive in the country as part of the COVAX initiative.

In particular, on April 22, 367,000 doses of the drug are expected. However, part of the batch will be used for the second vaccination of those who have already been vaccinated with CoviShield.

The AstraZeneca vaccine for emergency use has already been approved by the World Health Organization. The UK, European Union, India, and Canada have also given permission to use it.