Over 75 per cent of those who complained of minor adverse effects after receiving the vaccine against coronavirus in Jharkhand are residents of Ranchi, according to data collected by the National Health Mission (NHM).

Doctors spearheading the vaccination campaign in Jharkhand, however, could not state any scientific reason behind the higher rate of adverse effects reported in the state capital, barring that more people were vaccinated in Ranchi compared to the remaining 23 districts.

“Most of the people who complained of adverse effects after vaccination only suffered from minor pains in the arm. We have not reported any case of severe adverse effects following immunisation in Jharkhand,” said Dr Ajit Prasad, the nodal officer for the vaccination programme in the state.

As per records with the NHM, as many as 193 people have complained of adverse effects following immunisation in Jharkhand and at least 145 of them were residents of Ranchi. So far, Covishied shots have been administered to 24,000 residents of Jharkhand. Of them, 1,774 got the shots in Ranchi. None of the remaining 23 districts has administered shots to more than 1,500 people.

While figures clearly indicate that more Ranchi residents suffered from adverse effects than those in any other district of Jharkhand, some doctors believe that psychological barriers may also be playing a role in making people feel dizzy or unwell after vaccination.

Dr Siddharth Sinha, a senior resident at Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS), said that every vaccination has some or the other mild side effect. However, people suffering from anxiety disorders might exaggerate their symptoms while talking to doctors after vaccination and even feel an aggravation in their symptoms.

“When you are already anxious about taking the vaccine shots, your mind might trick you to feel adverse symptoms triggered by anxiety,” said Dr Sinha, adding that the fear of taking the vaccine shots was evident in many sections of society and many were reluctant to get the vaccine shots until they are sure of not having to face any side effects.

As per figures compiled by NHM, Jharkhand has achieved 60 per cent of its vaccination target so far by administering Covishield shots to 24,000 of 40,245 registered beneficiaries. As per government protocol, every person who is administered the Covishield vaccine is kept under observation for at least 30 minutes. Their blood pressure levels, heart rate and pulse are monitored during the time to check for any abnormality, doctors said.

Dr Vijay Mishra, director of Medica hospital here, who got his Covishield shot on Day 1 of the vaccination drive at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi, clarified that he did not feel any side effects after the immunisation and was doing well even 12 days later. “I am leading a normal life with no side effects whatsoever,” he said.