The prevalence of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine side effects among Nigist Eleni Mohammed memorial comprehensive specialized hospital health workers. Cross sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction The best way to eradicate corona virus disease (COVID-19) viral infection is mass vaccination. Many studies demonstrate vaccination is associated with some local and systemic side effects. This study aimed to provide evidence on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine side effects. Methodology Institutional based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 254 health workers at Nigist Eleni Mohammed memorial comprehensive specialized hospital (from July 01/ 2021 to July 30/2021). Data were collected consecutively through self-administered online survey created on Google Forms of platform which had been randomly delivered via (Facebook or telegram pages). Demographic data of participants, side effect after first and second dose of vaccine were covered. Result The prevalence of at least one side effect after first dose was 91.3% and after second dose was 67%. Injection site pain (63.8% vs. 50.4%), headache (48.8% vs. 33.5%), fever (38.8% vs. 20.9%), muscle pain (38.8% vs. 21.7%), fatigue (26% vs. 28.7%, tenderness at the site (27.6% vs. 21.7%), and joint pain (27.6% vs. 20.9%) were the most commonly reported side effects after first and second dose vaccine respectively. Most of participants reported that their symptoms emerged after 6hr of vaccination and only less than 5% of participant’s symptoms lasted more than 72hr of post vaccination. The younger age (≤29 year) were more susceptible to at least one side effect (χ 2 = 4.2; p = 0.04) after first dose. Conclusion The prevalence of side effect after first and second dose vaccine was higher. Most of the symptoms were short lived and mild. This result might help to solve an emerging public health challenge (vaccine hesitancy) nurtured by misinformation related to vaccines safety.

Side effects of Sputnik V, Oxford–AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Covaxin and their associations with other variables among healthcare workers of a tertiary hospital in Iran

“…Since there is an eight- to 12-week interval between administering the Oxford–AstraZeneca (AZD 1222) doses [43] , most researchers have evaluated the SEs of only the first dose [35] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] rather than the SEs of both doses [39] , [50] . Our study reported that Oxford–AstraZeneca was associated with the highest prevalence of SEs following the first dose (93.8 %).…”

Side-Effects following Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The same study revealed that more side-effects were significantly associated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine than other vaccines. Additionally, a study conducted among health workers in Ethiopia reported a 91.3% prevalence of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine side-effects [ 12 ]. The differences could be explained by differences in populations, as some of them could present differing thresholds for discomfort, as well as the nocebo effect in that, some populations could be more averse to rumors and misinformation.…”

Prevalence of common adverse events experienced following COVID‐19 vaccination and its associated factors in Ghana: Cross‐sectional study design

“…It is also important to note that 78.8% of our study participants received the AstraZeneca vaccine and it is a fair comparison to this Ethiopian study whose participants also received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Another Ethiopian study among healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID‐19 by Desalegn et al 41 . had a COVID‐19 vaccine side‐effect prevalence of 91.3% among respondents after the first dose and that of the second dose was 67%.…”

“…Another Ethiopian study among healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID‐19 by Desalegn et al. 41 had a COVID‐19 vaccine side‐effect prevalence of 91.3% among respondents after the first dose and that of the second dose was 67%. With regard to our study, there was a slight reduction in prevalence of adverse event as we recorded 87.9% after the first dose but a higher prevalence of 75.6% after the second dose as compared to the Ethiopian study.…”

“…There is paucity of data on postvaccination safety to support adverse events following COVID‐19 vaccination which is a driver of vaccine hesitancy because the adverse events of COVID‐19 vaccination in populations could lead to vaccination unwillingness which may act as a barrier to control the pandemic with its associated negative impacts. 41 , 42 Therefore, understanding expectations relating to adverse events following COVID‐19 vaccination and its predictors is critical to increasing vaccine uptake in the population. This study therefore aims to describe the prevalence and profile the various adverse events experienced among people taking the COVID‐19 vaccines in Ghana.…”