Only 72 of 88,000 beneficiaries in Bihar report side effects

PATNA: The Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW), Bihar, on Monday, January 25, confirmed that 88,207 people have been vaccinated so far in Bihar. Among the healthcare and frontline workers vaccinated in the state as yet, 72 have reported adverse events following immunisation (AEFI), including pain, mild swelling, and mild fever or nausea. Two of them had to be admitted to the hospital. 

According to DoHFW sources, only 0.8 per cent of the people who were vaccinated have complained of adverse effects post-vaccination at different selected vaccine centres in the state, including three on Monday.

Abiding by the guidelines set by the Centre, AEFI surveillance system has been launched at the selected vaccine sites. Post-vaccination, people are kept at the session sites for a minimum of 30 minutes to identify, manage and treat immediate adverse effects. 

Manoj Kumar, Special secretary-cum-executive Director of State Health Society, said after a 30-minute observation at the session sites, the hospitals and health centres stay in contact with the beneficiaries over phone for at least seven days. He added that no serious side effect has been recorded as yet in the state.