covishield

Covishield is one of the primary COVID-19 vaccines used in India, developed by AstraZeneca and produced locally by the Serum Institute of India (SII). It is based on the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford. The vaccine was approved for emergency use in India in January 2021 and has since played a crucial role in India's mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19.

Covishield uses a viral vector platform, where a modified version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) carries the genetic code of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to trigger an immune response in the body. It is administered in two doses, typically 4 to 12 weeks apart, and has been found effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. The vaccine has also been distributed to several countries under the COVAX initiative, contributing to global vaccination efforts.

Since its rollout, Covishield has faced public concerns regarding side effects, dosage intervals, and vaccine hesitancy, much like other COVID-19 vaccines. Despite the vaccine's proven efficacy and safety in large clinical trials, misinformation and false claims about its effects have circulated on social media, undermining public confidence. The government, health experts, and international organizations have continually emphasized its importance in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and achieving herd immunity.

In August 2021, BOOM fact-checked a viral video claiming that Indian Army soldiers collapsed after receiving the Covishield vaccine.

BOOM found that the video was not related to the COVID-19 vaccine but was recorded at the Mamun military station near Pathankot, where soldiers collapsed due to heat and exhaustion during endurance training. One soldier tragically died, while four others were hospitalized. The video was falsely linked to anti-vaccine narratives, misleading viewers into believing it was related to Covishield's side effects.