What are the ingredients in the AstraZeneca vaccine?
by
Health Desk
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Published on
December 4, 2020
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Updated on
June 18, 2021
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Explainer
What our experts say
According to the information that AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford presented to the United Kingdom's vaccine regulatory agency, this vaccine contains:
- A weakened adenovirus, which delivers the the COVID-19 spike glycoprotein (this is the active ingredient; also called the 'antigen')
- L-histidine (amino acid)
- L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate (amino acid)
- Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (salt)
- Polysorbate 80 (surfactant)
- Ethanol (alcohol)
- Sucrose (sugar)
- Sodium chloride (salt)
- Disodium edetate dihydrate (salt)
- Water for injections (diluent)
The vaccine does not include any human or animal products, thimerosal, gelatin, or formaldehyde. The vaccine doesn't include any common allergens like egg, latex, milk, gluten, lactose, maize/corn, or peanuts, either.
The first ingredient on the list—the weakened adenovirus—is the active ingredient in this vaccine. Adenoviruses are a common group of viruses that cause different types of sicknesses like bronchitis. Most people have been exposed to them in their lives. The AstraZeneca vaccine is made from an adenovirus that has been changed in the lab so it can't cause harm.
Neither does it contain any sneaky little microchips.
So there it is perfectly harmless.
AstraZenica advantages over Pfizer & Moderna.
It can be stored at normal room temperature and doesn't need to be frozen at -70c. like the other two.
This will be particularly important when rolled out in Africa and other third-world tropical countries.
The makers of AstraZeneca have agreed to roll it out at cost price until the pandemic is over. Great to see a British company recognise its social responsibility. Pitty the American companies that produce the Pfizer & Moderna vaccines see a pandemic that has cost their fellow countrymen 600,000 lives as a legitimate vehicle for profiteering.
AstraZeneca side affects.
Can only speak for myself.
First Jab - Didn't even feel it going in. Fell asleep around 8pm (not unusual for me) woke feeling euphoric that lasted till bedtime. Slept like a baby. I had a problem with fluid filling the back of my lung and had to have it drained periodically - a side effect of Chemo. after about three days noticed my lungs seemed clear and could breathe much easier. A CT scan has since revealed there is no longer any fluid in my lungs.
Second Jab - No side effects whatsoever.
Looking forward to a booster jab in the Autumn.