Vaccine Specific Information
1. AstraZeneca
It is a replication-deficient adenoviral vector vaccine against COVID-19, it is given for people who are 18 years of age and above.
- Vaccine Characteristics:
- Liquid, preservative free, multi dose suspension.
- 10 doses per vial (each dose of 0.5 mL).
- Given intramuscularly into the deltoid muscle.
- Given in an interval of 8 to 12 weeks between the two doses.
- Both doses are necessary for protection, the same product should be used for both doses.
- Vaccine is ready to use, do not dilute, do not shake.
- Vaccine Handling:
- Store unopened vials in a refrigerator between +2 and +8°C until expiry date stated on the cover.
- Opened vials (after first needle puncture) should be kept cooled at temperatures between +2 °C and +8°C during the immunization session.
- Discard the vaccine after six hours of opening or at the end of the session whichever comes first.
- The vaccine has no VVM, monitor the temperature at least twice per day.
- Adverse events following immunization (AEFIs):
- Majority of adverse events observed were mild to moderate and usually resolved within a few days.
- These events are less frequently reported in older adults (≥65 years) than in younger adults (18–64 years).
- Generally, when compared with the first dose, events reported after the second dose were milder and less frequent.
- Very common AEFIs: tenderness, itching, headache, fatigue & nausea.
- Common AEFIs: fever and swelling at injection.
- Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome is a rare AEFI.
- Contraindications:
- A history of anaphylaxis to any component of the vaccine.
- People who have an anaphylactic reaction following the first dose of this vaccine.
- People who have had blood clots associated with low platelet levels after their first dose.
- Precautions:
- Assess each person for a very rare syndrome of blood clotting described as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
- Patients who are taking blood thinner, the benefit and risk has to be discussed with the patient.