Covid vaccination: 447 case of AEFI reported across the country

The mega vaccination drive against Covid-19 began across the country on (January 16) Saturday, inoculations were done at 3,351 sites and around 1,91,181 health workers received COVID-19 vaccine shot on the first day.  

Around 447 people across India experienced Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) after being vaccinated on January 16 and 17, said the Union Health Ministry. Most of the AEFI reported so far are minor like fever, headache, nausea.

An Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) is any unexpected medical occurrence which follows immunization which may not be related to vaccine or vaccination process.

Delhi

The vaccination drive was carried at 81 session sites across the national capital Delhi. At least 4,319 healthcare workers received COVID-19 shot against the target of 8,117. A total of 52 cases - 51 minor and one severe, of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) were reported on the first day of Covid-19 vaccination in the national capital on Saturday, said the Delhi Government official.

Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain said on Sunday that there have been 51 cases of minor complications reported from the coronavirus vaccine that was rolled out across the country on Saturday.

 The Delhi Health Minister said that there was one severe case, where the patient was admitted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences.

“There have been 51 minor incidents yesterday where there were some minor complications and 1 was a bit serious. The severe case was been admitted to AIIMS. Till last night he was admitted there,” Jain reportedly told ANI.

"Only one case in Delhi had to be admitted to the hospital, the remaining 51 did not have to be hospitalized. They were only observed for a short while," the minister added.

Reports said that the patient admitted in AIIMS is a 22-year-old security guard who works at the hospital. He was admitted in the hospital's ICU till last night and is stable now.

Two of these cases were reported from Charak Hospital, another two have been reported from the Northern Railway Central Hospital in the national capital. North Delhi has reported one minor AEFI case while South East Delhi and North West Delhi have reported 5 and 4 AEFI cases, respectively. East Delhi reported 6 cases, Central Delhi 2, South Delhi 11 minor AEFI cases and one severe case, New Delhi 5, South West Delhi 11 and West Delhi reported 6 AEFI cases.

West Bengal

In West Bengal a total of 15,707 healthcare beneficiaries vaccinated on Saturday. As many as 14 cases of  Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reported including one serious case (condition stable), admitted at NRS Medical College, said the State Health Department.

Telangana

According to the state government, 140 sessions of coronavirus vaccination were held in 33 districts of Telangana, among which 3,962 beneficiaries were vaccinated from a target of 4,296. Out of which 11 mild Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) cases are reported.

The beneficiaries felt pain, giddiness and sweating which are the most common in any vaccination program.

Dr. Srinivas Rao, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare said that Telangana has managed to vaccinate 85 per cent of total beneficiaries on the first day of the nationwide vaccination drive.

 "After Prime Minister Modi has launched the vaccination drive across the country, the state was able to kick start the vaccination drive in 139 centers across the state," Dr. Rao told ANI.

Rajasthan

As many as 12,558 people received the first shot of Covid-19 vaccination against a target of 16,613 people that were supposed to get the first shot of coronavirus vaccination in Rajasthan on Saturday.

As per the report submitted by health department of Rajasthan, there were 21 cases of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) in nine districts of the state on day one of Covid-19 vaccination.

Maharashtra

Around 18,338 healthcare workers in Maharashtra took the Covid-19 vaccine on January 16. Over 280 cases of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) were reported from across the state. Officials said “all cases are mild” and required no serious intervention except symptomatic consultation.

The adverse reactions are being closely tracked through India's existing surveillance framework, especially in the context of questions surrounding the safety of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

The number of people vaccinated in the country on day one of the drive is the highest in the world. "It is higher than (the numbers in) the US, UK and France on day one," union health ministry's Additional Secretary Manohar Agnani said.