Adverse Events Following Immunization In Under-Five Children At The Child Health Centre Of The Department Of Community Medicine, SKIMS Soura, Srinagar

Abstract

Background: Immunization is a global health and development success story, saving millions of lives every year. Vaccines reduce risk of getting a disease by working with body’s natural defences to build protection. Immunization currently prevents 3.5-5 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles. An adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is a matter of concern and its detection at right time followed by corrective measures wherever possible will further help build the faith of people in vaccination and also eliminate the preventable AEFIs.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the department of Community Medicine
SKIMS Soura Srinagar. All the beneficiaries who received vaccines in the child health centre were eligible for the study. At day1, 8 and day 30 after vaccination, the parents/guardian were contacted and information about any AEFIs was recorded on a pre-designed questionnaire.
Results: A total of 2399 children {1210 (50.4%) males, 1189,(49.6%) females}received 19805
vaccine doses. Incidence of AEFIs was 15.1% (2998 AEFIs/19805 doses). Fever was the most
common AEFI (2445 events) followed by swelling at injection site (463 events). Almost all AEFIs
either resolved on their own or a very few required treatment on outpatient basis. The frequency was higher with first birth order and was higher among urban than rural children.
Conclusion: Fever was the most common AEFI followed by swelling at injection site. Most of the AEFIs were minor and resolved on their own. Thus AEFIs should not form a reason of vaccine hesitancy. More AEFIs were reported by urban people than rural. It might be because of more awareness among urban caretakers. Thus awareness generation regarding AEFIs is vital for both picking up an AEFI and reporting it and for eliminating vaccine hesitancy.