A study on Adverse events following COVID-19 immunization(AEFI), Vaccination Awareness and Preference among people visiting vaccination centre, Shivamogga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shivamogga, Karnataka

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Corona virus Disease is a fatal viral disease that continues to trouble many countries around the world. Immunization is one of the most effective and cost-efficient initiatives ever, saving millions of lives every year. COVID-19 vaccines are considered to be of great importance in preventing and controlling the disease. This study aimed to estimate AEFI, COVID-19 vaccine awareness, preference among people visiting vaccination centre, SIMS, Shimoga. OBJECTIVE: 1. To estimate AEFI among people visiting vaccination centre, SIMS, Shimoga. 2. To estimate COVID-19 vaccine awareness and preference among people visiting vaccination centre, SIMS, Shimoga. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted for a period of one month – July 2021. People visiting COVID vaccination centre, SIMS, Shimoga were included in the study. Considering AEFI to be 30% after pilot study, sample size calculated was 336. Data was collected from 373 participants. Ethical clearance was obtained by Institutional Ethics Committee. Oral consent was taken from each participant. Each participant is interviewed telephonically, and the relevant information was collected. The collected data was tabulated in Microsoft excel sheet. Analysis is done by using epiInfo software. Descriptive statistics like percentages, mean were used, and the results were tabulated. RESULTS: Incidence of AEFI reported from our study population was 36%. Majority of it was after first dose of vaccination (47%), and the most common complaint was pain (64%) at the site of injection. Covishield was the most preferred vaccine as the availability was good. Awareness regarding vaccine was mostly from the discussion among friends, family members (25%) and from the health care provider (22%). CONCLUSION: Most of the AEFI reported was minor. Acceptability of the vaccine will increase if more vaccine is made available and choices of different vaccine is given to the people. “Conducting awareness camps” regarding vaccination at the work places will increase the vaccine acceptance as discussion among friends and family members has major role in sharing information