On the second day of the nationwide coronavirus vaccination drive, the Union health ministry announced that over 224,300 healthcare workers and frontline workers had been vaccinated until then, out of which 447 people suffered adverse effects while three of them were admitted to hospitals.

Manohar Agnani, a senior health ministry official, was reportedly quoted as saying, "A total of 447 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) reported so far. Of these, one has been discharged from Northern Railway Hospital Delhi within 24 hours; one has been discharged from AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Sciences] Delhi; and one is under observation in AIIMS Rishikesh and is being monitored." The people had apparently complained of minor illnesses, including a fever, headache and nausea. "Today being Sunday, only six states conducted vaccination drive and in 553 sessions a total of 17,072 beneficiaries were vaccinated. Protocols are in place for reporting, immediate case management at vaccination session site, transportation and hospitalization and further care of such cases. Protocols are also in place for systematic investigation and causality assessment of serious AEFIs," he added.

The Covid-19 vaccination drive was launched in India by PM Modi on January 16. The Union health ministry had earlier announced that doctors, community health workers and police officials will be prioritized for the vaccine. Following healthcare workers and frontline workers, priority will be given to those above 50 years of age and those below 50 years of age with co-morbidities. On January 3, two vaccines - Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India - were approved by India for 'restricted emergency use.'