Adverse Effects and Development of Acute Respiratory Infections within 3 Months of COVID-19 Vaccination in Children Aged 15–18 Years

Abstract Background: Vaccination of children to protect them against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is ongoing, but the safety and efficacy of these vaccines are not completely known. Objective: We aimed to describe the adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccine (Covaxin) administration in children aged 15–18 years, to find out the proportion of children who developed acute respiratory infections up to 3 months after the receipt of two doses of vaccination, and to analyze the clinico-sociodemographic correlates associated with the development of adverse effects following Covaxin administration. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on children aged 15–18 years who had been vaccinated with two doses of Covaxin. Information about age, gender, socio-economic status, underlying chronic medical illness, date and place of vaccination, side effects of vaccination, etc. was collected. Results: The most common side effect seen after both doses was pain at the injection site, which was seen in 47.2%. The least common side effect was sudden collapse seen in 0.4% of children after the first dose, and 1.2% of children developed an acute respiratory tract infection within 3 months after the second dose, and none of them required hospitalization. Conclusion: Covaxin is a safe vaccine and well-tolerated in children 15–18 years of age.