European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

TO ASSESS THE EXPERIENCE AND SIDE EFFECTS AFTER COVID-19 VACCINATION IN HILLY POPULATION OF INDIA

*Dr. Satish Kanwar and Dr. Anushree

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) is an illness caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus -2 (SARS-CoV-2). Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations and death. COVID- 19 vaccination programme has been started in India. There is paucity of real-world data available regarding post COVID vaccination side effects. In this study we aimed to determine post vaccination side effects and experience in hilly state of India. Aims and objectives: To assess experience of participants regarding COVID-19 vaccination at government designated centres. To determine the post vaccination side effects profile occurring within 72 hours Material and Methods: We examined self-reported post vaccination symptoms and experience using google meet forms (online survey). Results: A total of 902 people responded to the survey over 2 months from May to June 2021. Overall, 18% of respondents reported at least one post covid vaccination symptom occurring within 72 hours. Post-vaccination symptoms were more reported by women (20.48 %) compared to men (13.6%) The most common symptoms reported were myalgia followed by fever, headache, pain at the injection site, chills, sore throat and diarrhoea. 60% of lactating women reported side effects. Conclusion: As per our online survey, 18 percent of the participants reported post vaccination side effects. No serious adverse effect was reported after first dose of vaccine. Our results showed that maximum side effects were experienced in the age group 18-44 years and in women especially in lactating women.

Keywords: Covid -19, Covishield vaccine, side effects.