Top 5 adverse events after getting Sinovac, AstraZeneca jabs identified

A member of the National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) has identified the top five adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) for Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.

For Sinovac: blood pressure increase, headache, vaccination site pain, dizziness and rash.

For AstraZeneca: fever, headache, vaccination site pain, chills and myalgia.

In a forum on Tuesday, April 20, NAEFIC member Dr. Eileen Cuajunco said most adverse reactions from vaccines are "mild and of limited duration."

She added that not all reported adverse events are caused by the vaccines.

NAEFIC data shows that as of April 13, there have already been 25,661 (2.04 percent) reported AEFIs out of 1,255,716 vaccinees nationwide.

Of the AEFIs, 2.013 percent are classified as non-serious, while the other 0.030 percent are classified as serious.

Cuajunco said their panel will not hesitate to recommend the suspension of the immunization program if they believe such a move is warranted.

"When we see a causality that shows there seems to be an increase or clustering of (adverse) events, then we can make our recommendation to the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration," said Cuajunco.

"When we do see such an event, we may recommend the discontinuing of the vaccination," she added.

"As of now, we haven't seen such a need so we haven't given any statement on that," Cuajunco said.