Reaction events reports after Covid jabs ‘‘in line’’

Newdata released on adverse reactions after receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine is in line with what officials expected to see, an expert says. Medsafe’s latest report on adverse events after immunisation (AEFI) covers the three-week period from February 20 to March 13 – when 22,588 doses had been administered. There were 65 newnonserious and three newserious cases reported. Two of the three serious caseswere allergic reactions and were managed appropriately. The third ‘‘serious’’ casewas a reactogenicity reaction, where the patient experienced flu-like symptoms. Overall, of the 215 AEFI reports up to March 13, just six – 2.7 per cent – were deemed ‘‘serious’’. No potential safety issues have been identified. Director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre Dr Nikki Turner said the adverse reactions reports were ‘‘totally in line with international experience’’, and fit with what health officials expected to see.