Adverse events following immunization with pentavalent vaccine among infants attending the immunization clinic at a tertiary hospital in Eastern India

Abstract

Background: Prevention of childhood diseases of public health importance is mainly achieved by immunization. Pentavalent vaccines provide immunity and protection quickly and safely. It also reduces the cost, occupational-environmental hazards as well as distress and inconvenience for the children and their parents. Adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are well established with DPT, Hep-B and Hib vaccine separately in numerous studies but when given in combination as pentavalent vaccine, data on AEFI with this is still lacking. Does there is any reduction in proportion of various minor and major AEFI after pentavalent vaccination in comparison to separate vaccines? To fill this gap in knowledge we carried an observational epidemiological study to find out the proportion and associated factors for various adverse events following immunization with pentavalent vaccine.Methods: It was a descriptive longitudinal study carried out in immunization clinic at a tertiary care centre of Eastern India. It was done between July-September 2016. Study population constitutes all the infants who attended the immunization clinic for getting vaccines. All the infants who attended the immunization clinic and were eligible for pentavalent vaccines were selected for the study.Results: A total of 230 infants participated during study period. Incidence of minor adverse events reported very high, 67 per 100 doses across all doses. Fever was most common symptom reported. Demographic character or birth history of infant had not showed an effect on occurrence of any adverse event.Conclusions: Study showed that from clinical perspective pentavalent vaccine given in a single injection has increased reactogenicity in comparison when given separately.