While Covid-19 vaccines are new and there are probabilities of opposing effects after vaccination. A complete system has been put in place for monitoring post-immunization events, said the Ministry of National Health Services.
Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pakistani Drug Regulatory Authority (DRAP) held a training session on Monday to monitor possible side effects after immunization.
It should be noted that 500,000 Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government have arrived in Pakistan. After that, Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a vaccination campaign on February 2.
In the early stages, first aid and specialists in primary health care are vaccinated, after which the elderly are insured.
Representatives from the Pakistan National Pharmacovigilance Center (PNPC), Drap, Federal Enhanced Immunization Program (EPI, provincial EPI and pharmacacovigilance focus areas) attended a provincial Adverse Event Monitoring (AEFI) training for the Covid-19 Vaccine.
Participants were informed that Covid-19 vaccination would be given through Adult Vaccination Counters (AVC) set up in 582 health facilities across the country.
All AVCs will have a focal point who will exchange data on the KIPI report form on a daily basis with the DHO office, where they meet weekly.
Weekly reports will enter into the EPI Management Information System (EPI-MIS). Sindh and Punjab will share their data in hard format / Excel spreadsheet as EPI-MIS has not been published there.
The committee will monitor activities related to KIPI at the national level.
MedSafety App
PNPC Deputy Director Aksa Hashmi briefed the participants on submitting reports, including the electronic reporting system and the MedSafety mobile application. The training gives immediately, after installing the MedSafety application on the participant’s cellphone.
Decided that the coordination system needs to implement for stakeholders.
It was decided that PNPC would forward the registration information required for registration and disclosure to Drap to the EPI federal database.
WHO spokesman Macheal Ukiwa told participants that the vaccine was new. That’s why public rumors and fake news about the vaccine’s safety were possible.
“It is in the responsibility of WHO to minimise the risk associated with treatment options. This training session is for the purpose of ensuring safety of Covid-19 vaccines in Pakistan. Furthermore, it is also an international requirement that necessary refresher training may be provided to stakeholders involved in AEFI monitoring,” he said.
Dr. Asim Rauf, CEO of Drap, said that the agency had issued emergency clearance for the three Covid-19 vaccines. However, can not cover up the safety of the vaccine . So training sessions held to strengthen the collection process. AEFI tools and improve coordination among stakeholders.
“It is time that we must give due consideration to safety monitoring of these vaccines. It would not only monitor the harms of Covid-19 vaccine. But will also build public trust in these vaccines that will help smooth vaccination,” he said.
He praised the Department of Pharmaceutical Services for its efforts to approve clinical trials and register the Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr. Abdur Rashid, Director of the Pharmacy Division and Head of PNPC, explained the role of Drap in general and the Pharmaceutical Services Division in particular in approving vaccine clinical trials.
