The first death from the covid-19 vaccine, termed- "vaccine product-related reaction" has been confirmed by the National Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee. The event occurred in a 68-year-old man, due to anaphylaxis, on March 8, after taking Covishield.

The advisor of the National AEFI committee, N.K. Arora also focused on the need to wait for 30 minutes at the inoculation centre after vaccination as most of the anaphylactic reactions occur in this period and prompt treatment prevents deaths.

V.K. Paul, a NITI Aayog member, emphasized that such incidents should not create fear in the minds of people and they should not apprehend about the safety of the vaccines. The panel highlighted the benefits of vaccination over risk and termed the risk of dying following vaccination to be negligible as compared to the known risk of dying due to COVID-19 disease. They coined the vaccine to be reliable protection because they generate a robust response against the virus.