Side Effects and Perceptions Following Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccination

Background

Vaccines are one of the best interventions developed for eradicating COVID-19, the rapid creation of vaccinations was increased the risk of vaccine safety problems. The aim of this study to provide evidence on Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine side effects which is approved by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted between January and April 2021 to collect data on the effects of COVID-19 vaccine among individuals in the UAE. Demographic data, chronic conditions, side effects of the 1 ^st and 2 ^nd dose toward the vaccination, and the response of unwilling taking COVID-19 vaccine were reported.

Results

The most common side effects of post 1 ^st dose vaccination among participants (≤49 years old vs >49 years) were normal injection site pain 42.2%, fatigue 12.2%, and headache 9.6%, while pain at the vaccination site 32.6%, fatigue16.3%, lethargy13.7%, headache10%, and tenderness 10% were the most side effects of the post 2 ^nd dose of vaccination in both groups. All the side effects in both doses were more prevalent among the participants ≤ 49-year-old group.

Among two groups (females vs males), the study revealed the increase in the number of females that suffered from the vaccine side effects compared with males in both doses. The most prevalence adverse reactions of first dose in (female’s vs males) were fatigue (15.8% vs 3.75%), lethargy (12.6% vs 1.25%), headache (10.5% vs 7.5%), while in 2 ^nd dose were fatigue (20% vs 7.5%), sever injection site pain (10.5% vs 2.5%). The most common reason of not willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine among the participants were the vaccines are not effective, and the participants were not authorized to take vaccine.

Conclusion

The 1 ^st and 2 ^nd dose post-vaccination side effects were mild, predictable, and there were no hospitalization cases, this data will help to reduce the vaccine hesitancy.