Centre clarifies vaccination poses no grave risk to life
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New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that death or hospitalisation after the Covid-19 vaccination cannot be automatically assumed to be due to the vaccine. Dr VK Paul, Member Health, NITI Aayog informed that all vaccines are likely to have some reaction post-inoculation. He requested people not to spread misinformation.
The statement clarified that the risk of dying due to Covid-19 disease is much higher than the risk of dying following inoculation.
The Union Ministry released an official statement saying that 23.5 crore people were vaccinated so far, and called the reports baseless. The ministry pointed out that the number of deaths reported after Covid-19 vaccination is 0.0002% and it is within the expected death rate in a population.
"It is also important and pertinent to note that the mortality rates for those testing positive for COVID-19 disease is over 1% and vaccination can prevent these deaths," said the official release.
The ministry criticised the spread of reports based on an incomplete and limited understanding of the matter. The Centre also noted that using the term 'succumbed' in the reports is insinuating casualty (death caused by vaccination).
The ministry was addressing media reports suggesting an increase in severe Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). The reports cited 488 deaths following inoculation during January 16 and June 7. The AEFI is any untoward medical occurrence that follows immunization. It may or may not have a causal association with the vaccine. It can also be any unfavourable or unintended sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom, or disease.
The government has implemented a strict system of AEFI surveillance from the district level to the state level. Health workers and vaccine recipients are encouraged to report all minor and adverse events following the inoculation including disabilities, hospitalisation, and deaths. These events are required to be reported at any point of time after vaccination.