ADVERSE EVENTS FOLLOWING ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (COVISHIELD) VACCINE IN KASHMIR VALLEY: FINDINGS FROM FOLLOW-UP OF VACCINE RECIPIENTS USING ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE.
Introduction: Surveillance for adverse events after the rollout of a new vaccine is of paramount importance. This study was conducted to estimate the frequency and characteristics Of Adverse Events Following Immunization with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Methods: An observational follow-up study design was used for vaccine recipients in the rst quarter of 2021. Using non-randomized method, alternate subjects coming for vaccination were included. Baseline sociodemographic and any immediate AEFIs were recorded at the vaccination site followed by computer-assisted telephonic interviews on days 1,3,7 and 30. The same protocol was followed after second dose. Sample size was calculated using formula for prevalence studies. Standard case denitions were used for AEFIs. Chi-square test was used to test for signicance and P-value of less than 0.05 was considered signicant Results: th th A total of 652 subjects with a mean age of 59.1 ± 9.2 years were included. 3/4 of subjects were males and 1/4 were healthcare workers. The most common systemic side effects after rst dose were fever (49.4%), Fatigue (43.6%) headache (38.6%), and chills/shivering (28.4%). Myalgia/arthralgia developed in around 10% and diarrhea in around 3% of subjects. Among local symptoms, tenderness at the injection site, pain at th the site were reported by almost half whereas warmth and swelling were reported by 1/5 of participants. Second dose had a similar AEFI prole. h/o COVID-19 and younger age had a signicant association with incidence of AEFI. Conclusion:Although around half of subjects developed any AEFI, most of these were minor and self-limiting.