Study of Severe Adverse Events Following Immunisation in Patients of Jamnagar District and their Follow-up at Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Adverse Effects Following Immunisation (AEFI) as a medical incident that takes place after an immunisation, causes concern, and believed to be caused by immunization. Aim: To study the patterns of serious adverse events following immunisation among children in Jamnagar district in tertiary care centre. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at pediatrics department at Shree MP Shah medical college Jamnagar along with two primary health centers, one community health centre and four private clinics of Jamnagar district. There were 26 children included in the study that lasted for one year, from April 2013 to April 2014.The numbers of adverse event reports were calculated in five age groups: 0-1 month (neonates), 1-12 months (infants), 1-3 years (toddler), 3-6 year (pre- school) and 6-14 years (school going). Vaccination details had been taken from place of immunisation. The variables were assessed for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Results: From the one year of events reported of AEFI, most commonly AEFI noted was due to immunisation of Pentavalent vaccine. Most serious adverse events found were swelling, pain and tenderness, redness and persistent crying. Remaining were local requiring primary support in the hospital. The numbers of adverse event reports had been calculated in five age groups: 0-1 month (neonates), 1-12 months (infants), 1-3 years (toddler), 3-6 year (pre- school) and 6-14 years (school going). Conclusion: The most common age affected group was infants. Regular follow-up should be done for all participants,so that focus should be done in this population for reducing AEFI.

Keywords

• convulsion
• pentavalent
• world health organisation