Adverse events following COVID-19 immunisation (AEFI) at a COVID-19 vaccination centre: An observational analytical study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) in various age groups after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and assess the association of comorbidities with AEFI. METHODS: An observational analytical study was conducted among the general population who had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 389 participants from the 18–44 years age group, 380 participants from the 45–60 years age group and 373 participants from the 60 plus age group were enrolled in the study after verbal and written consent. Simple random sampling was used to select the study participant in each group. Home visits were made to fill out the semi-structured questionnaire for information regarding any adverse event following COVID-19 immunisation. RESULTS: Overall, 31.9%, 19.74% and 15.17% of >60, 45–60 and 18–44 years, respectively, reported any AEFI after COVID-19 immunisation. The severity of AEFI was more among the 18–44 years age group (66.1%) followed by 45–60 years (30.67%) and less among the older one, that is, >60 years. Fever and pain with inflammation at the injection site were the most common AEFI reported after any dose. There was no association of comorbidity with the severity of AEFI. CONCLUSION: Since the AEFI reported are very less, most of them were of a minor type and were general immunogenic reactions of any vaccine. Hence the COVID-19 vaccines are very safe, and uptake should be high among all the recommended age groups to combat the severity of the COVID-19 disease.