| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 11
| Issue : 2 | Page : 104-109 |
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Active surveillance of adverse events following the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination – Oxford–AstraZeneca (Covishield) vaccine
Sangeetha Merrin Varghese1, Grace Mary John2, Geomcy George3, Linda Jacob2, Mammen Paul2, Arun Sachu4, Abel K Samuel Johnson2, George Mateethra Chandy5
1 Department of Community Medicine, Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
2 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
4 Department of Microbiology, Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
5 Department of Gastroenterology, Believers Church Medical College, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India
Correspondence Address:
Sangeetha Merrin Varghese
Cherical House, Channanikadu P.O, Kottayam - 686 533, Kerala
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_59_21
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Background: COVID-19 vaccines have been the most rapidly developed vaccines in history and consequently, fears of its safety and efficacy intrigue the minds of the common man. Aims: This study was intended to determine the adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination and thereby reduce vaccine hesitancy in the people. Methods and Materials: An active vaccine safety surveillance study was carried out on health-care workers of a tertiary care center in Central Kerala using a prestructured interview schedule documenting a description of adverse events following immunization (AEFI), time of occurrence, management and outcome of AEFI, knowledge about AEFIs, and fear of COVID-19 vaccination. A telephonic survey was carried out on 475 randomly selected COVID vaccine beneficiaries. Results: Overall, 86% of the participants reported at least one postvaccination symptom. Fever (51.8%), injection-site pain (46.9%), headache (29.3%), myalgia (28.4%), and fatigue/tiredness (25.1%) were the most common symptoms. None of the symptoms were severe/serious to warrant hospital admission. Side effects were more common in females (P = 0.003) and reactogenicity of the COVID-19 vaccine decreased with advancing age (P = 0.001). The vaccine did not have any difference in side effects among those who had previous COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: This study shows that COVID vaccines are safe in the Indian population and the side effects are similar to any other vaccine. It may help to dispel any fear and misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccination and thus maximize the benefit of the nationwide immunization program.
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