No major side effects after vaccine: State

MUMBAI: No major adverse effects have been reported from Maharashtra following the vaccination of 18,562 healthcare workers on Sunday, state health minister Rajesh Tope said. However, there were reports of minor side-effects faced by some beneficiaries, who complained of fever, chills, body ache, weakness, minor swelling after the jab and uneasiness.

On Saturday, the first day of the vaccination drive in Mumbai, concluded at 5pm, with 1,926 health workers vaccinated, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). A total of 200 staffers, including 80 vaccinators, were working.

Tope said, “There are a few reports of minor complaints like swelling after being pricked, some experienced uneasiness or pain, but there was nothing serious. There have been no major adverse effects following the vaccination. Many of the doctors and healthcare workers, who were inoculated, have given interviews sharing their experience.”

The BMC said there was no hospitalisation on Saturday or Sunday post-vaccination or any beneficiary reporting major adverse effects. Mangala Gomare, chief of the public health department, BMC said, “No major incident or hospitalisation has been reported in Mumbai yet. All beneficiaries were given contact details to report of such incidents. We have provided guidance to all such beneficiaries, on a case to case basis.”

Meanwhile, in Pune, of the 1,802 beneficiaries who were vaccinated on Saturday, nine reported of having minor sideeffects. Doctors said, factors like fasting, psychological anxiety over the vaccine, among others contributed to the side-effects.