Adverse effects of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine among Egyptian healthcare workers

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sparked a global pandemic that resulted in huge health and economic losses. There have been almost two hundred million affirmed cases of COVID-19 to date, with over seven million deaths. Clinical trials on all three vaccines approved for use in the Egypt (Pfizer–Biotech, Oxford–AstraZeneca and Moderna) have demonstrated substantial vaccination efficacy. Numerous research groups had developed possible vaccines as early as December 2020. Despite promises from the World Health Organization and European Medicines Agency (EMA) that there was no evidence tying vaccination to potential adverse events including blood clots, numerous European countries interrupted utilization of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine on March 11, 2021, and noted the adverse effects revealed. We aimed to characterize and analyze the adverse effects associated with the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccination. Methods: This study was done following vaccination of 113 medical healthcare personnel and documentation of each participant's adverse event at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology between March and June 2021. Results: 45 (39.8%) patients with no vaccine related adverse effects symptoms, 62 (54.9%) patients with mild/moderate symptoms, and 6 patients with severe side effects (5.3%). The most frequently reported adverse effects in mild/moderate symptoms were bony aches 43 (69.3%), fever 32 (51.6%), localized arm pain 7 (11.3%), and GIT symptoms 2 (3.2%). Conclusion: AstraZeneca vaccinations have been associated with mild to moderate adverse events.