NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, has directed state governments and union territory administrations to introduce a strong system for reporting and gathering data on the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines once they are available.
According to a letter by Manoher Agnami, Additional Secretary of MoHFW, the Ministry had recognised initiatives to toughen the reporting of Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI). It has also requested states and union territories to implement steps. More medical specialists have been asked by the Ministry to be part of the AEFI committees. The letter also said that the COVID vaccinations will be given to adults who may have co-morbidities. Issues due to foregoing co-morbidities such as stroke or heart attack may be reported as AEFI after the COVID-19 vaccination. The state AEFI has now been instructed to include neurologists, cardiologists and respiratory medicine specialists who can identify such events and differentiate them from events related to vaccine and vaccination.