Short Term Side Effects Of Inactivated COVID-19 Vaccines Among Pakistani Population: A Survey-Based Cross-Sectional...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The global rollout of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has been crucial in controlling the pandemic.
• Inactivated vaccines, such as Sinopharm and CoronaVac, represent a significant portion of vaccine administration worldwide.
• Understanding the short-term adverse effects and associated demographic factors of these vaccines is essential for public confidence and vaccine safety monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the incidence of short-term adverse effects following the administration of two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines: Sinopharm and CoronaVac.
• To identify demographic factors, including age and gender, associated with the occurrence of these vaccine side effects.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from August to October 2021.
• Data was collected from 896 adult participants who received at least one dose of either Sinopharm or CoronaVac vaccine, using online and printed surveys.
• Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22 to determine the incidence of side effects and associated demographic factors.

Main Results:

• The overall incidence of side effects was 63.3% after the first dose and 55.2% after the second dose for Sinopharm, and 65.4% after the first dose and 61.4% after the second dose for CoronaVac.
• Female gender and younger age (18-30 years) were significantly associated with a higher risk of reporting side effects (p<0.05).
• Most reported symptoms were minor, primarily injection site pain.

Conclusions:

• The inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, Sinopharm and CoronaVac, are associated with a high incidence of short-term, generally minor, adverse effects.
• Younger individuals and women are more likely to report these symptoms, particularly injection site pain.
• These findings contribute to the ongoing safety surveillance of COVID-19 vaccines and highlight demographic considerations for potential side effect reporting.