Adverse events following Covaxin administration among adolescents (15–18 years) – A pharmacovigilance study in a district in Northern India

Abstract

Introduction: The study was undertaken to observe the adverse event following immunization (AEFI) to the Covaxin vaccine in young adolescents in the age group of 15–18 years in a district in Northern India. The study was conducted to assess the safety profile of the COVAXIN vaccine. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study conducted at rural and urban health centers of a district in Northern India. We included the beneficiaries of the COVAXIN between the age of 15 and 18 years. The administration of the COVAXIN occurred in our district from January 2022. Periodic visits were conducted to the urban and rural health centers of the city to record any suspected adverse drug reaction following immunization in the defined population. The study was conducted for a period of 1 year (January 2022 to December 2022). Results: A total of 72,771 adolescents (15–18 years) received the first dose of Covaxin and 49,046 received the second dose. No adverse drug event following immunization was reported during the study. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that Covaxin was found to be safe in adolescents (15–18 years).

Keywords

• adverse event following immunization
• covaxin
• pharmacovigilance