SENSEX
NIFTY 50
Hang Seng
Taiwan Weighted
MCX GOLD JUN 04
MCX SILVER MAY 05
USD/INR
EUR/INR80.0630

SENSEX
NIFTY 50
NIFTY MIDCAP 100
S&P BSE MIDCAP
Hang Seng
Taiwan Weighted
DAX
Nasdaq
MCX GOLD JUN 04
MCX SILVER MAY 05
MCX CRUDEOIL APR 19
MCX NATURALGAS APR 27
USD/INR
EUR/INR
GBP/INR
JPY/INR

Key investment mistakes to avoid during COVID-19 second wave

World stocks at record high, oil up on strong China, US data

Oil holds near one-month highs as demand forecasts raised

Rupee surges 23 paise to 74.70 against US dollar in early trade

16 deaths reported among vaccine recipients, Govt says not linked to vaccine, health experts demand more data

Updated : February 03, 2021 11:09 PM IST

Incidentally, all deaths have been reported among beneficiaries who received Covishield.

106 adverse events have also been reported till February 2, none have been reported to be linked to the vaccine so far.

A 52-year old health worker in Jharkhand died 36 hours after he received a coronavirus vaccine shot. The investigation on what caused the death and if it was linked to the vaccine or not is still being done. The health worker Mannu Pahan, who received a shot of Serum Institute's Covishield vaccine, did not have any comorbidities.

This is the 16th death reported among vaccine recipients in India so far. Incidentally, all deaths have been reported among beneficiaries who received Covishield. All adverse events reported, including 106 reported on Feb 2nd, none have been reported to be linked to the vaccine so far.

The government in a written reply in Rajya Sabha has said "the drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) hasn't received information about any specific severe adverse event causally linked to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines."

Also read: AstraZeneca vaccine drastically cut COVID-19 virus transmission, says study

All death being reported in Covishield could be explained from the fact that majority of the 42 lakh persons vaccinated so far have received Serum Institute’s vaccine. Hence, majority adverse events and deaths reported in that bracket. The offtake of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin has been slow so far.

However, the details of deaths need more focus --- Deaths have been reported within few hours to 10 days post vaccination and few among those who had no co-morbidities.

Six deaths reported each in 40-50 years age bracket and 50-60 years age bracket. Importantly, two deaths reported in people under 30 years of age.

A 23-year-old security guard at Odisha’s Nuapada District Headquarters Hospital who died three days after being administered the COVID-19 vaccine, was the youngest. He too did not have any co-morbidties.

Also read: Serum Institute applies for trials of another COVID-19 vaccine

Cardiovascular complications, particularly Myocardial Infarction and brain stroke has been most common reported causes of death. While the local adverse event reporting teams or state health officials in all the 15 cases, except Pahan, have said the deaths are not related to the vaccine itself,

reports of the investigations have yet not been made public.

"A total of 151 health workers including Pahan were vaccinated at Medanta Hospital on February 1. Nine others who received the vaccine from the same vial are all fine," reports quote Dr Ajit Prasad, nodal officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Jharkhand as saying.

Cardiovascular complications, Myocardial Infarction in particular and brain stroke has been most common causes of death.

While the local adverse event reporting teams have said none of these deaths are related to the vaccine itself , more clarity and investigation is awaited.

Also read: Novavax vaccine seems effective against COVID-19 in UK study

Dr Gagandeep Kang, noted scientist and professor at CMC Vellore, said, "We cannot make a ‘not related’ assessment immediately. Need to assess if there is a pattern amongst these deaths. Most likely the deaths may not be related to the vaccine, however depth and quality of collated data will give a more conclusive evidence of causal links if any."

Experts say reports of district, state and national AEFI Committees' on how causal links were assessed in these deaths and details of investigating officers need to be made public.

In a letter to the union health minister last week, public health experts have highlighted that these deaths fall into the category of a "cluster" of serious adverse events as defined by the WHO and need a more thorough investigation to rule out patterns if any.

WHO's definition of a 'cluster' of serious AEFIs as given in its COVID-19 vaccines: safety surveillance manual — 'when two or more AEFIs related in time, place or by vaccine occur', the letter quoted.

Published : February 03, 2021 10:47 PM IST

You May Also Like

Aihuishou to raise up to $1 billion in US IPO, says source

Aihuishou to raise up to $1 billion in US IPO, says source

India records highest single-day rise of 2,61,500 COVID-19 cases, 1,501 deaths

India records highest single-day rise of 2,61,500 COVID-19 cases, 1,501 deaths

Delhi CM Kejriwal hopes to add 6,000 beds in 1-2 days; 50% beds to be reserved for COVID-19 patients

Delhi CM Kejriwal hopes to add 6,000 beds in 1-2 days; 50% beds to be reserved for COVID-19 patients

Trending on CNBC-TV18

Live TV

recommended for you