A Comparative Evaluation of Adverse Effects following Immunization with COVAXIN and COVISHIELD among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Jharkhand

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to significant global health and economic impacts. Vaccines such as COVISHIELD and COVAXIN have been approved for emergency use in India to mitigate the pandemic. Objectives: To evaluate the adverse effect profiles of COVISHIELD and COVAXIN vaccines among healthcare workers in a tertiary care setting. Methods: An observational prospective cohort study was conducted from April to July 2021 in Jharkhand, India. The study included 590 participants who received two doses of either COVISHIELD or COVAXIN. Data on adverse effects were collected using a structured questionnaire based on WHO guidelines. Results: Most adverse effects were mild and resolved within 3-7 days. Common side effects included fever, general weakness, headache, myalgia, and injection site pain. While COVAXIN recipients reported more adverse effects than COVISHIELD recipients after both doses, the differences were not statistically significant. The incidence of adverse events decreased with the second dose for both vaccines. Discussion: The study found no serious adverse events or hospitalizations related to vaccination. The findings are consistent with other studies indicating that both vaccines have an acceptable safety profile. However, limitations include potential reporting bias and the need for long-term surveillance to assess future effects. Conclusion: Both COVISHIELD and COVAXIN vaccines demonstrated safety and clinical acceptability with mild adverse effects. The study supports continued vaccination efforts but highlights the need for extensive evaluation to assess long-term effects and plan booster dose programs effectively.