PUNE: The state’s public health department has recorded more than 8,000 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) cases, across all age groups, since the start of the Covid vaccination drive, on January 16 last year.
A report by the department stated that of 8,192 AEFI cases reported, 7,993 were minor in nature, 112 were serious and 87 were recorded as severe events. Minor events involve slight fever, headache or body pains, all common side effects after vaccination.
The report added that the highest number of AEFIs were from Thane district, where authorities recorded 3,244 cases. Mumbai was second with 979 cases while Pune district reported 462. Officials said 98% of these cases were minor events.
Districts that reported the least number of AEFIs included Bhandara (18 cases), Chandrapur (16), Aurangabad (13), Osmanabad (12), Sindhudurg (12) and Akola (3). All these cases involved minor side effects.
Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, assistant director, public health services, Pune circle, said, “The minor AEFI cases included those who experienced fever, headache or body ache due to the vaccine, which is pretty much normal. Serious cases involve vomiting, fluctuation in blood pressure or sweating. And severe cases will need immediate hospitalisation.” Dr Deshmukh said the high number of AEFI cases from Thane was due to meticulous recording of even the most minor events.
He said authorities in many districts had skipped reporting minor cases. “But Thane did this meticulously, which is why their number seems higher,” he said.
As for daily vaccination coverage, 20,066 people were given Covid jabs in the district on Thursday, according to CoWIN data.
