On Monday, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria alleviated apprehensions about coronavirus vaccines and ensured that the side effects will not result in the death of the recipient.
On 16 January, the national COVID-19 vaccination drive began and a total of 447 adverse effects following immunisation (AEFI) were recorded within the first two days, most of which were minor, along with three hospitalization cases.
“Even if a person takes Crocin or Paracetamol, they may develop allergic reactions. There is nothing to worry about. There is no side-effect that would result in death,” said Dr Guleria.
He added, “Main side-effects are body ache, fever, pain at the injection site which subside in 1-2 days and take place in less than 10 per cent of people. If the side-effects are severe, there could be skin rashes, nausea, difficulty in breathing.”
According to Dr Guleria, “Body ache, fever, pain at the injection site that subsides in 1-2 days and takes place in less than 10 per cent of individuals are the main side effects. If the side effects are severe, skin rashes, nausea, breathing difficulty may occur.”
The jab was given to the AIIMS chief on a live telecast on January 16, just after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the vaccination drive across the country. Dr Guleria was the third person at the institute to take the shot.
“I have no side-effects. I am feeling perfectly alright,” he told the media, two days after taking the jab, in an effort to ease concerns and apprehensions about the efficacy of the vaccines for the coronavirus.
“I have no side-effects. I am feeling perfectly alright,” he told the media, two days after taking the jab, in a bid to allay fears and apprehensions about the safety of the coronavirus vaccines.
The launch of the ‘Covishield’ vaccine by Oxford, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, and the’ Covaxin ‘by Bharat Biotech began in the country despite questions about the safety of the latter. Currently, Covaxin is undergoing late-stage clinical trials that are critical to evaluating the effectiveness of the shot.
Since receiving the green signal from the drug regulator for minimal emergency use, ‘Covaxin’ has been in the spotlight. Without sufficient effectiveness evidence, the approval attracted flak from public health advocacy organizations, scientists, researchers and activists.
Meanwhile, as many as 2,24,311 beneficiaries have received doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the last two days. Only 17,072 beneficiaries were vaccinated in six states on Day 2.
