As the vaccination drive is set to begin from January 16, the Union Ministry of Health and Welfare (Immunisation Division) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Ministry of Home Affairs in case of Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI).
According to reports, the SOP is meant to help the investigator ensure appropriate handling of the vaccine, victim assistance as well as timely and effective law enforcement.
In case of an AEFI, the officer must ensure proper handling of the vaccine and diluent as evidence, and make sure the samples are preserved maintaining a proper cold chain, reads the SOP.
The police officer must also ensure that the AEFI victims, and any witnesses, are provided assistance and appropriate protection, care and attention. If post-mortem examination of the case is required, the Department of Health shall provide the necessary assistance, states the SOP.
Documentation and completed requisition form for transportation of the AEFI sample to a laboratory must have the same official stamp. The seal will ensure the samples and details sent to the lab are not tampered with during transportation, it reads.
While probing serious AEFI, which has resulted in death, the police must always keep the perspective that the event might be coincidental and/or reaction to the vaccine and it may not be criminal negligence of the vaccinator and/or other workers, for which causality assessment report by an expert is needed, it further read.
The SOP also provides for investigation/interrogation of the vaccinator, if needed. This will help in monitoring immunisation safety, correcting unsafe immunisation practices, reducing the negative impact of the event on health and contributing to the quality of immunisation.
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