Background: Adolescent population in India is 253 million, which is the highest in the world, and every fifth person is between 10 and 19 years. COVID-19 vaccination of adolescents in the age group of 15–18 years was started from January 3rd, 2022.
Aims and Objectives: To identify the adverse events with COVID-19 vaccination (1st dose) among Adolescents (15–18 age group) and to determine the association between adverse reactions and sociodemographic factors, morbidity profile, and previous history of COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken at COVID-19 vaccination center of SVIMS, Tirupati. AP from January 2022 to June 2022 among adolescents who visited for COVID-19 vaccination (Covaxin). Sociodemographic information was collected by interviewing them. All the adolescents who received the COVID-19 vaccine were observed for 30 min in the observation room. After 48 h, study participants were contacted through telephone to find out if any vaccine-related adverse effects developed.
Results: A total of 142 adolescents received the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of the respondents were in the 17–18 years age group 82 (57.7%). Males (n = 102.71.8%) were higher than females (n = 40.28.2%). Out of 142, 39 (27.4%) adolescents reported adverse effects. 2(1.4%) reported adverse events within 30 min of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, while 37 (26.1%) reported adverse events within the next 48 h after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Various adverse events reported were fever, dizziness/giddiness, body pains, headache, pain at the injection site, Redness at the injection site, etc.
Conclusions: Only 2 (1.4%) reported adverse events within 30 min of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, while 37 (26.1%) reported adverse events within the next 48 h after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Adverse effects were mild and resolved with treatment. No serious adverse effects developed among adolescents. The Covaxin vaccine is relatively safe for adolescents, but continuous vigilance should be maintained in the future to monitor any adverse events following immunization (AEFI). In the present study, AEFI was not associated with age, gender, education, locality, comorbidity, COVID-19 infection, and allergies among adolescents.
Key words: COVID 19 Vaccine; Adverse Events Following Immunization; Adolescent; Co-morbidity
|
