HYDERABAD: Ahead of the rollout of Covid vaccine, the health department has earmarked 235 hospitals — 57 government and 178 private ones — for treatment of vaccine beneficiaries developing side effects. In all, 1,300 beds have been earmarked for tackling any of three adverse events (side effects).
Side effects have been classified as mild, moderate to severe and very severe. Common and mild side effects include pain and swelling where vaccine is administered, while moderate to severe side effects include fever, low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. Extremely severe side effects might include asphyxia and sudden cardiac arrest.
“We have made arrangements to deal with any adverse events and the centres, dealing with such cases, are equipped with special kits and staff. So far there are no vaccine-related deaths in countries where vaccination drive has been rolled out. We expect minimal cases of side effects,” director public health Dr G Srinivasa Rao said.
District-level committees have been set up to report side effects to the health department. “In majority of cases, side effects can be overcome by using medical kits at centres,” guidelines read.
Government teaching hospitals and area hospitals have been earmarked. The 57 government hospitals allocated have 15,236 beds, of which 329 are for people with side effects. Another 1,000 beds have been allocated in private hospitals. Private hospitals have to treat those who have been vaccinated at public hospitals with side effects. Major government hospitals earmarked would be Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital, Chest Hospital, Fever Hospital, Niloufer, King Koti Hospital and Nampally, Malakpet, Golconda area hospitals.