20-year old in Delhi develops allergic reaction to Covaxin on Day 1 of vaccination

A 20-year-old security guard at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) as he developed an allergic reaction after receiving coronavirus vaccine on the first day of the vaccination drive. Reports claimed that the guard suffered headache, rash, respiratory distress, and tachycardia after getting the first shot. The individual was was administered a jab of COVID-19 vaccine 'Covaxin', one of the two vaccines that have been approved by the country’s drug controller for restricted emergency use as of now. Indigenously-developed COVID-19 vaccine – Covaxin – is produced by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. It was delivered to 12 states across the country ahead of the launch of the vaccination drive. 

The doctors informed that his symptoms worsened about half an hour after this initial stabilization. Hospital sources said that his condition is stable. “He was immediately managed with appropriate treatment and he improved. He is stable. As a precautionary measure he has been admitted for overnight observation and his condition is being monitored. He is likely to be discharged in the morning,” AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria said. The health ministry, on the other hand, asserted that no case of post-inoculation hospitalisation was reported in the country. However, the national capital has reported 52 adverse events following immunization. All beneficiaries vaccinated at AIIMS received Bharat Biotech’s Covid vaccine, Covaxin. The mega vaccination programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 3,006 session sites across all states and Union territories.