Nearly 0.1% people report side effects from vaccine in Pakistan, says Dr Faisal Sultan

• 4,329 reports of adverse effects have been reported.
• 90% involved pain at the site of injection or fever.
• Six serious cases were reported — each was coincidental.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said Tuesday nearly 0.1% of people, who had received the coronavirus vaccine, reported side effects.

The special assistant noted that almost all of the people complained of having mild and expected side effects out of the millions of people who have been inoculated. 

"Out of 3.8 million+ doses, 4,329 reports of adverse effects have been reported so far. Nearly all reports were of mild, expected side effects — 90% involved pain at the site of injection or fever," he said.

However, the special assistant said six serious cases were reported — each was investigated thoroughly and found to be coincidental and non-attributable to the vaccine.

If a person wants to report side effects from a vaccine, they can do it by calling 1166 or visiting website nims.nadra.gov.pk, the National Command and Operations Centre said.

Claims against AstraZeneca 'baseless'

Later in the day, addressing a press conference, the special assistant said people who had received Sinopharm's first dose would receive the second dose of the same vaccine.

Dr Sultan added the authorities are not suggesting mixing up vaccines based on scientific data.

"Sinopharm is available at vaccination centres, it is incorrect to say that the vaccine's stock has ended — get yourself vaccinated."

The special assistant said claims against AstraZeneca were baseless and that its benefits outweighs the negative effects.

On May 16, Pakistan started registering people who are 30 years and above for the coronavirus vaccination, while the resignation for people falling in the 40-49 age group started on May 3.