Nagpur: Cases of adverse event following immunization (AEFI) are reportedly higher in health care workers who have recovered from Covid-19 compared to those never infected with the disease. Also, AEFI cases are much more than the official number of 84 in the city, if experts are to be believed.
Some 6,820 doctors, nurses, technicians, attendants etc working in the hospitals run by Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), central, state government and private institutions have taken the jab in 11 days of vaccination programme between January 16 and February 1 in the city. As per NMC’s data, 84 cases of minor AEFI were registered in the city in these 11 days, just 1.23% of the total.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Nitin Shinde told TOI, “Atleast five-six of 10 vaccination beneficiaries, who had tested positive for novel coronavirus and recovered in the past, have developed minor AEFI. High fever is common in these beneficiaries followed by body ache etc. It is not limited to the city but proved world wide that recovered patients may develop minor AEFI.”
Convener of Vidarbha Hospitals Association (VHA) Dr Anup Marar also said recovered patients who had mild or severe symptoms during infection are getting fever and other AEFI, which are commonly seen in any vaccination programme. “AEFI is very less in health care workers who had not tested positive in the past.”
Dr Shinde said, “Recovered patients are possessing antibodies. Therefore, vaccine boosts the immune system in them from fifth day, causing fever and other AEFI. In case of non-infected beneficiaries, immune system begins to be boosted from 9-12 days.”
Dr Marar and Dr Shinde added, “Considering this experience, the health care workers who were not infected in the past are likely to witness minor AEFI when they will take second dose. There is nothing to worry. We are talking about this just to make them aware. Fever and other AEFI are easily treated by a paracetamol tablet, going away within a day,” they said.
Dr Shinde also said, “The government should study this aspect and avoid giving booster dose to recovered Covid-19 patients. Recovered patients are likely to develop sufficient antibodies in first dose itself. It can save doses and help needy persons. Therefore, antibody test of recovered patients should be conducted before vaccination.”
NMC medical officer of health Dr Sanjay Chilkar said, “The 84 AEFI cases registered in the city were minor. AEFI nodal officers have been appointed at all centres who contact beneficiaries and inquire about their health. Vaccination is going on at all hospitals which can deal properly in case of AEFI cases. GMCH and IGGMCH have been appointed to tackle AEFI cases if required.”
All AEFI cases registered in the city had been administered Covishield.
A senior professor from Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) said zero AEFI cases were registered at two centres situated in the hospital. GMCH is the only centre in six districts of Nagpur division for Covaxin.
After resumption of vaccination on Monday, there was no vaccination on Tuesday for conducting regular immunization of children in 11 districts of Vidarbha. In Nagpur Rural, Lata Mangeshkar and Shalinitai Meghe Hospitals continued vaccination where 171 health care workers took the jab.
An official from Zilla Parishad said the government has allowed vaccination as per convenience of the centre and beneficiaries. “Vaccination was continued at these two hospitals with a motive to complete first dose of all registered staff before government deadline of February 14,” he said.