ASSESSMENT OF ADVERSE DRUG INTERACTIONS DURING IN THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF VACCINE IN SOUTH INDIA

ABSTRACT: Background: SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is a recently detected member of the human coronavirus family that was discovered during a highly transmissible respiratory disease outbreak in Wuhan, China in 2019. Despite the lack of an established antiviral treatment for COVID-19, many vaccines experiment was launched. Various vaccination candidates for emergency use authorization (EUA) had been announced by some international health agencies by the beginning of 2021. COVID-19 vaccines are believed to improve vaccinated individual’s immune systems, providing protection and a more long-term solution. Purpose of study: There is few research on the adverse effects/reactions and awareness of COVID-19 vaccines, the goal of this study was to investigate the severity, causality of adverse reactions/effects and compare the effect of COVID-19 vaccine among the general public. Methods: The data collection form has been prepared. The data will be collected through the vaccination site and the ADR (adverse drug reaction) will be monitored through phone calls. The severity of the ADR was assessed by using MODIFIED HARTWIG AND SIEGEL SCALE and the causality was assessed by using NARANJO SCALE. Google forms have been created and thereby assessing how people aware of the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: A total 1125 people in Tamilnadu were assessed over a period of 6 months. All participants were reported that they experience at least one ADR. the range of COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions were pain at injection site by 935 out of 1125 participants; body pain reported by 576 out of 1125; fever reported 493 out of 1125; headache reported by 326 out of 1125; chills reported by 103 out of 1125 participants. Conclusion: Majority of reported adverse reactions were described as mild to moderate reactions. Key Words: COVID-19 vaccine ADR, severity, COVID-19 vaccine awareness, causality, pregnancy, lactatio