ADVERSE EVENT FOLLOWING IMMUNISATION

Subject: Science & tech

Context: Health secretary said, we can’t deny chances of an adverse event when Covid-19 vaccination begins. In countries where immunization has already begun, especially in the UK, adverse events have taken place on the very first day.

Concept:

• As vaccine-preventable infectious diseases continue to decline, people have become increasingly concerned about the risks associated with vaccines.
• Furthermore, technological advances and continuously increased knowledge about vaccines have led to investigations focused on the safety of existing vaccines which have sometimes created a climate of concern.
• Adverse event following immunization is any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine.
• If not rapidly and effectively dealt with, can undermine confidence in a vaccine and ultimately have dramatic consequences for immunization coverage and disease incidence.
• Alternatively, vaccine-associated adverse events may affect healthy individuals and should be promptly identified to allow additional research and appropriate action to take place.
• In order to respond promptly, efficiently, and with scientific rigour to vaccine safety issues, WHO has established a Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.