Your coronavirus vaccine guide: Covishield vs Covaxin

As the next phase of vaccination began on March 1, we take a look at the two vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin. The next phase of the vaccine includes those who are above 60 years of age and those above 45 years of age with co-morbidities.

Oxford-AstraZeneca made Covishield is based on the viral vector platform. The vaccine is made by genetically engineering adenovirus that normally infects chimpanzees. It uses double-stranded DNA. Bharat Biotech made Covaxin is based on an inactivated form of the coronavirus.

Both the vaccines follow a two-dose regime 28 days apart.

The two vaccines do not require sub-zero temperatures to store. These can be stored at 2-8 degree centigrade.

SII's Covishield has 62 per cent efficacy while Bharat Botech's efficacy data isn't available. Covishield was granted approval for restricted use in emergency situations while Covaxin was authorised restricted use in emergency situations in public interest as an abundant caution, in clinical trial mode.

Both the vaccines are intra-muscular.