ADVERSE EVENTS POST-VACCINATION

WHO defines AEFI as any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunisation and does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the vaccination.

Mostly such events are minor in nature: pain, mild swelling at the injection site, mild fever, body-ache, nausea, giddiness and mild allergic reactions like rashes, etc.

Only a few serious AEFIs require hospitalization.

Such cases are immediately attended to at the vaccination site. In fact, most AEFIs are identifiable within 45 minutes; recipients are nonetheless advised to monitor health for 15 days.

In case of any adverse event, the onus is on vaccine companies. The need of the hour is that all such events are documented and catalogued, and looked into in detail