Why are we not speaking about AEFI(adverse event following immunization) Are we too obsessed with #VaccineMaitri?

What is AEFI?

Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is defined as any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization, and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. The adverse event may be any unfavorable or unintended sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease.

AEFIs are grouped into five categories.

  • Vaccine product-related reaction
  • Vaccine quality defect-related reaction
  • Immunization error-related reaction
  • Immunization anxiety-related reaction
  • Coincidental event

What is AEFI surveillance

National AEFI surveillance  (also known as vaccine safety surveillance) is a surveillance system designed to collect adverse events temporally associated with receipt of vaccines.

A presentation made to the National AEFI (adverse event following immunization) Committee on March 31 recorded that there had been 180 deaths till that time and three-fourths of the deaths happened within three days of the shot. Read more here

This article states that the even as AEFI deaths are reported daily, causality assessment by the AEFI committee appears to be lagging with information about just 10 deaths in the public domain. 

Sides Effects recorded thus far

  • Very rare cases of blood clots combined with low levels of blood platelets occurring within 2 weeks of vaccination
  • Cardio pulmonary failure
  • Respiratory issues
  • Vomiting and headache
  • Weakness of the limb
  • Slurring of speech
  • Blurred vision

Source : https://twitter.com/das_seed/status/1380185786465812483?s=20

Also it is important to note that frontline workers who have taken the jab are testing positive.  The following are the reported cases in the last few days and there may be many unreported ones as well.  

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/sir-gangaram-hospital-37-doctors-covid-positive-delhi-latest-news-696436?fbclid=IwAR1QDa8CHGXQ8nkg9bjkKnrdhcXIjrHHg_m6WV_TGUHp0Ty6tqngHRqCP_c

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/lucknow-kgmu-40-doctors-test-coronavirus-positive-king-georges-medical-university-covid19-695976?fbclid=IwAR1HDCaYW0aWtcgCacxXScTorl3ws58OM5jKb5xUp4IEwPT1YAlM0QLn5Gs

Whether it is the virus which has gone more severe thereby rendering the vaccine useless or whether the virus is vaccine induced is for experts to think about.

Why is it important to review the Vaccine Program?

It is important to review the success/failure of the ongoing program. Many countries have suspended the vaccine program. Moreover the decision to  prioritize people with comorbidities need to be reviewed asap.

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/govt-panel-to-review-vaccine-side-effects-11617907384480.html

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/15/which-countries-have-halted-use-of-astrazenecas-covid-vaccine

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/philippines-suspend-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-people-under-60-14581556

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/world/europe/astrazeneca-side-effects-vaccine-covid.html

Why is this relevant for India to review the vaccination program is simply because AstraZeneca’s Covishield vaccine accounts for 80 -90% of the doses administered in India so far.

Updated on 15th April:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/chhattisgarh-joint-health-director-dies-of-covid-despite-taking-2-vaccine-jabs/articleshow/82075952.cms?fbclid=IwAR3Jqt7Q99iS9-G3OajejvY5xEttiS0SwP2N4t2nLqbFaM3Hh94V1DUDcXs

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Also read:

https://kreately.in/covid-19-vaccination-hope-or-hype/

https://kreately.in/the-big-pharma-covid-vaccine-race-service-or-business/

https://kreately.in/is-vaccine-passport-the-new-identity-card/

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