The objective of this study is to assess the frequency and severity of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) in Indian children aged 5–17 years who received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, as well as to investigate for predictors of AEFI. To examine AEFI following the first and second doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, semi-structured questionnaires were distributed as Google forms at Indian schools in Saudi Arabia. The 385 responses included 48.1% male and 51.9% female children, with 136 responses of children aged 5–11 years (group A) and 249 responses from children aged 12–17 years (group B). Overall, 84.4% of children had two shots. The frequency of AEFI was reported to be higher after the first dose than after the second (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.57–2.86). The reported AEFIs included myalgia, rhinitis, local reaction with fever, a temperature of 102 °F or higher, and mild to moderate injection site reactions. While group B frequently reported multiple AEFIs, group A typically reported just one. Local reaction with low grade fever was more frequently reported in group B after the first dose (24.1%) and second dose (15.4%), while local reaction without low grade fever was most frequently observed in group A after the first (36.8%) and second dose (30%). Only prior COVID-19 infection (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.44–6.2) was associated with AEFI after the second dose in the study sample, whereas male gender (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.13–2.6) and prior COVID-19 infection (OR = 2.95, 95% CI = 1.38–6.3) were predictors of AEFI after the first dose. Non-serious myocarditis was reported by only one child. According to the analysis conducted, the Pfizer’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was found to be safe in Indian children.

Introduction The integration of medical informatics (MI) in medical education is crucial for preparing future healthcare professionals to effectively utilize technology in their practice. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MI training on Saudi medical students’ knowledge and attitude towards using technology in future medical practice. Method A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among medical students at Saudi medical universities, employing a non-probability convenience sampling method. A standard pre-structured, self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from 1508 students, with 1192 having undertaken an MI course and 316 not having undertaken the course. The validated questionnaire included two dimensions of knowledge and attitude and each dimension had 12 items. Results The mean scores of knowledge and attitude towards MI were significantly higher among students who had undertaken the MI course compared to those who had not (p < 0.001). The results highlighted the effectiveness of MI training in enhancing students’ understanding of various MI concepts and applications, including electronic medical records, patient confidentiality, clinical decision support systems, telemedicine, e-prescriptions, evidence-based practice, and legal/ethical considerations in clinical informatics. Conclusion This result of this study highlights the significance of MI course in shaping students’ perceptions and understanding of various aspects of healthcare, particularly in the context of EMRs, patient confidentiality, and the role of technology in healthcare. The findings provide valuable insights into the transformative impact of MI training on students’ knowledge and attitude towards utilizing informatics in their future medical careers. BJMS, Volume: 24. Supplementary Issue 2025, Page : 170-177