July 2017 Vol. 5 No.7

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Original Research Article

Adverse events following immunization of infants – an experience at an immunization clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Odisha, India

Sonali Kar¹, Dr. Seba Ranjan Biswal^2*, P. C. Samanataray², B. C. Das², Adrija Roy³, N. Sarma³ and C. Mistry³

¹Prof Dr. Sonali Kar, Department of Community Medicine, KIMS
²Associate Prof Paediatrics, Senior consultant projects, Professor Community KIMS
³Tutors, Department of Community Medicine, KIMS

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: dr_sebaranjan@rediffmail.com

Accepted July 28, 2017

Abstract

Immunization especially of infants is one of the most cost effective strategies to control mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases and in India this preventive arm is being used as one of the key public health strategies. In recent years, the government has introduced Pentavalent, Rota virus vaccines in infants below 6 months of age, besides other initiatives. However in such blanket application of public health strategies, the adverse events need to be dealt with sensitively by the health provider in order to maximize gains. This study explores the vaccines offered at 6,10,14 months of age and thus offering a chance to know the variety of adverse events reported, which otherwise in most cases, go unnoticed. 96.4% infants came for their vaccination on time and the same number were being exclusively breastfed; vaccines after the 6-8 weeks dose, adverse events reporting was maximum, highest being compliant of fever (27.3%). Even after the third dose, the predominant compliant was that of fever, though reported in only 8% of the subjects. It was found that mode of delivery had a significant association (P <0.001) with the presence of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI), which given the small sample size, can purely be by chance. Complaints were more commonly reported by mothers who were exclusively breast feeding but it could be an over sensitive reporting bias. This study indicates that immunization of infants is a very well received community strategy and can be made stronger by more interpersonal counselling of the guardians regarding potential side effects of the vaccines and their management.

Key words: Infant immunization, Pentavalent vaccines, Rota vaccine, adverse events, fever