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Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (BNT162b2) Side Effects: A Systematic Review
Ibrahim M Dighriri1, Khaled M Alhusayni1, Ahmed Y Mobarki2
1Department of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, SAU.
Cureus
|May 2, 2022
Summary
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine commonly causes mild, self-limited side effects like injection site pain and fatigue. Severe reactions are rare, and the vaccine
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Public Health
Background:
- COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for managing the endemic phase.
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is a leading mRNA-based immunization.
- Understanding vaccine side effects is vital for public confidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and assess the adverse effects of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
- To consolidate data on common and rare side effects from existing literature.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 107 publications from PubMed and Google Scholar.
- Inclusion criteria focused on studies of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine side effects.
- Analysis of data from 14 selected articles involving 10,632 participants.
Main Results:
- Most frequent side effects include injection site pain (77.34%), fatigue (43%), and muscle pain (39.67%).
- Side effects were more common after the second dose (84%) than the first (79%).
- Females reported side effects more frequently (69.8%) than males (30.2%).
- Severe reactions like anaphylactic shock are rare.
Conclusions:
- Adverse effects from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are typically mild and transient.
- Injection site reactions are the most prevalent side effect.
- The benefits of vaccination significantly outweigh the risks, aiming to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
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