Systemic and cutaneous side effects of COVID-19 vaccines in Iraq, A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease has recently emerged as a major health concern. The rapid development of vaccines for this infection raises concerns regarding its efficacy and safety. These concerns may lead to the refusal of vaccination, which will only open room for further pandemic flare-ups.The aim of this study was to assess the cutaneous and systemic side effects of COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive analytical study included 677 participants, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated, the questionnaire was distributed online through Google form. Questions about vaccine preference, awareness, fear and side effects of vaccination. Three types of vaccines were used in Iraq (Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford/AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm) and their side effects were compared. Results: The three different vaccines have shown variable side effects. The major source of knowledge regarding vaccination was social media (44.5 %). Conclusion: Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was the most preferred vaccine in this study. Refusal to vaccinate was mainly attributed to fear of thromboembolic complications. Most of the side effects were mild to moderate among the participants. The most prevalent side effects were pain at the site of injection, tenderness and exhaustion. While the most common cutaneous side effects were redness at site of injection, urticaria and bluish discoloration of the skin respectively.

Keywords

• COVID-19 vaccine
• Systemic side effects
• Cutaneous side effects
• Pfizer/BioNTech
• Oxford/AstraZeneca
• Sinopharm